AAI continues to deliver vital Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects in communities that are still suffering from last year's floods that devastated over 20 million people. AAI has drilled 148 bores, installed 136 hand pumps and built 36 large cement aprons with drainage to help facilitate suitable hygiene practices. AAI has focused its efforts in the regions of Jar and Keenjar as floodwaters in these areas reached between 6 and10 feet high causing major damage to homes. The availability of clean water in Sindh Province in Southern Pakistan has been dangerously scarce since the floodwaters destroyed large parts of the country.
Each water point is connected to a hand pump that discharges potable water. A cement collar secures the hand pump in place. The large cement apron stops the water point from becoming an unhealthy mud pit and provides a clean place for locals to do washing. Excess water is channelled away from the apron into a soak pit or to low-lying ground.
In Jar, AAI has had good success and the target of 98 water points has been achieved. In Keenjar, the five drilling teams have had more difficulty due to frequently striking salt water. To overcome this problem, the AAI team has put in pipelines connected to suitable bores. Even with this challenge, AAI will still install the 48 water point facilities that were originally planned.
Throughout this project, local communities have been involved in the installation of the water points. By making communities aware of AAI's efforts, AAI hopes to foster a sense of accountability and transparency to improve monitoring and mismanagement as well as reduce bad practice and corruption. AAI has increased the capacity of local construction teams and all teams must adhere to appropriate construction procedures and accounting protocols.
Alongside this comprehensive water program, AAI is delivering hygiene education as well hygiene kits to families with women and children. AAI is educating both women and children about the importance of hand washing, disease transmission and how to maintain clean water sources.
AAI has been able to deliver such a remarkable WASH program due to dedicated field teams, including John Cinders from Australia and Julius Njorge who has travelled to Pakistan from Kenya