Provision of Clean water to the Children of Punjab

Provision of Clean Water to the Children of Punjab – Project Update

Access to safe drinking water remains one of the most urgent needs in rural Punjab. According to national and international studies, more than 84% of Pakistan’s population lacks access to safe drinking water, and in Punjab alone, water from nearly 14% of sources is contaminated with arsenic at levels far above the permissible limit. The health risks for children and women are devastating, with common illnesses including hepatitis, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even increased infant mortality.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding during this reporting period, AWARD Pakistan was unable to begin work on the planned Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plants in Tehsil Samundri. While this delay has been a setback, the urgency of the project has only grown stronger as communities continue to rely on unsafe water.

Community members in the target villages have repeatedly shared their hopes for this initiative, as women and children are the ones who suffer the most. Mothers have told us how their children miss school because of waterborne diseases, and how medical costs push families deeper into poverty. It is clear that the installation of RO plants will not just provide clean water but will also save lives, improve child health, and give families a healthier future.

The long-term impact of this project is immense: access to clean water, a measurable decrease in waterborne diseases, healthier mothers and children, and fewer deaths among infants. Most importantly, after a year of implementation, local communities will take care of the project on a self-help basis, ensuring sustainability for the future.

We humbly appeal to our donors and supporters: this is a life-saving initiative that cannot move forward without your help. Every contribution, big or small, will directly bring us closer to installing the first RO plants and giving families the dignity of safe drinking water. Together, we can ensure that no child in rural Punjab has to drink contaminated water again.