“A few months back, we did not have clean water to use. The women had to fetch it from rivers in drums and jerry cans. This was done even when there was four to five feet of snow for eight months in winters. Also the water brought was unsafe as it was contaminated by both humans and animals”. Mohammad Aziz, Member Water & Sanitation Committee, Garel, Broghil.

The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), Pakistan, which has a mandate to improve human habitat across vulnerable areas, addressed this issue under its Water and Sanitation Extension Programme (WASEP). AKAH, using its experience and technical expertise, identified safe water sources; tested water quality against WHO standards; constructed water and sanitation infrastructure with community involvement; and provided every household with water taps in their homes.

With support from the Pakistan Afghanistan Tajikistan Regional Integration Programme (PATRIP) Foundation, local authorities and the community, AKAH completed water supply schemes in nine villages in Broghil, providing more than 200 households with year-round access to clean water. These households now have water in washrooms, improved hygiene conditions and a reduced incidence of waterborne disease. Women, in particular, are able to spend more quality time with their families and have more time for income generating activities such as woollen handicrafts. By providing a safe drinking water and sanitation infrastructure, AKAH has helped improve the health and well-being of more than 2,000 people in Broghil.