Carbon-free water for the children of Balakot

THE NEED: 
Safe Drinking Water is the most important resource for Balakot,KP,Pakistan.The area is losing its major resource which is essential for survival. Before the deadliest earthquake of October, 2005 (100,000 people died),  the residents of the nearest populations used to rely on water falls and  the river water flowing down from the mountains.

Due to heavy deforestation and the post affects of the earthquake, the water now has been diluted with carbon, graphite, dirt and waste. Unfortunately, nearby residents especially children and women have to rely on it which has increased the death toll in the rural areas up to 30%.The most common diseases are diarrhea,allergy,hepatitis and typhoid.

OUR EFFORTS: 
AWARD Pakistan has taken an initiative to start raising funds for the installation of hand pumps and water wells. In its first phase 5 hand pumps and 1 water well will be installed in the 6 rural areas of Balakot, District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhaw with the support of the local community. So far 1 water well and 1 water hand-pump has been successfully installed and rest are under development. Altogether, AWARD Pakistan intends to install 32 hand pumps in 16 rural areas of Balakot.
It is also to be mentioned that an average cost of digging a water well and installing a hand pump on mountainous area is 5 to 6 times higher than an average installation in Punjab and other plain areas of Pakistan.

APPEAL: 
We request all our donors and supporters to support us in the cause to provide children and women (living on the mountains), an access to the carbon-free water .