The project focused on strengthening climate-resilient and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems to improve public health and community wellbeing. Implemented over three years, it helped 410 villages attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, facilitated the construction of 12,741 household toilets and 420 climate-resilient demonstration latrines, and ensured safe water access for more than 21,000 people through solar-powered filtration plants and handpumps.
The ceremony was attended by government representatives, development partners, and community leaders. Mr Saleem Baloch, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Public Health Engineering and Rural Development, Government of Sindh, graced the event as chief guest and said: “Promoting hygiene is essential for a healthy and resilient nation. The Sindh government is prioritising clean water and sanitation in remote areas and conducting a province-wide survey to improve future water management and planning”
Keynote speakers included Mr Qasim Soomro, Parliamentary Secretary, Standing Committee on Local Government and Housing & Town Planning; Mr Javaid Ali Jagirani, Chief Executive Officer, PPHI Sindh; Ms Nida Khuhro, Parliamentary Secretary, Standing Committee on Health and Population Welfare; and Ms Kiran Masood, Member of the Gender Mainstreaming Parliamentary Committee, Sindh Assembly.
Speaking on the occasion, Mian Muhammad Junaid, Country Director, WaterAid Pakistan, said:
“This project has demonstrated how community leadership, women’s participation, and climate-resilient infrastructure can transform lives. The next step is to embed these models into government systems, ensuring every person has access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene.”
A panel discussion followed featuring Ms Heer Soho, Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Parliamentary Affairs; Engr. Abdul Sattar Jatoi, Executive Engineer, Public Health Engineering Department, Hyderabad; Ms Rizwana Shah, Chairperson, Women-Led Oversight Committee, District Badin; and Dr Muhammad Ali Nizamani, Associate Professor, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro.
The discussion underlined the importance of strengthening local governance, integrating data-driven WASH planning, and adopting gender-responsive approaches to climate adaptation.
WaterAid Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to working with provincial and district governments to sustain climate-resilient WASH systems and advance progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.
