Construction of Water Tanks

Provision of clean and safe water for drinking and other human purposes is of great importance. Use of contaminated and unhygienic water can result in a range of serious health problems. The majority of the people in the earthquake affected areas were faced with the challenge of getting safe and clean drinking water because of the huge damage that has affected badly the water and sanitation facilities. Statistics and ERRA damage assessment reveal that 535 out of 542 water schemes in Bagh District have been destroyed due to the magnitude of the earthquake. In high altitudes and steep surfaces, huge landslides have been recorded washing away the existing water facilities and constructions in their way.

The status of the previously existing infrastructure for the provision of clean drinking water has dilapidated because of the ageing factor and the earthquake. An estimated 98% of the water supply schemes were destroyed by the earthquake leaving the affected population prone to a great challenge of having no access to clean drinking water. To make sure that the community gets the water at their doorstep, QC has constructed 100 water tanks at Bagh District AJK during the year 2008.

As women are required to fetch water from distant sources, this intervention has provided them with an easy access of getting water at their vicinity. The project aims at helping the community to have access to water for drinking and other purposes on regular basis. The water has been provided to the households through extended GI pipes.

The objectives of the project were to:

• Help rehabilitate the water supply system in the earthquake affected areas
• Help the vulnerable communities have an easy access to clean drinking water
• Reduce the water wastage
• Minimize the difficulties faced by women in fetching water leaving more time for them to focus on their family activities
• Ensure the sustainability of the project by involving the community in the implementation and follow up phases

Nundrayi Hamlet Bagh

Hamlet Nundrayi is situated at a distance of 12 kilometers north-east of the district headquarters of Bagh city. This "hamlet" consists of 26 houses and a population of around 200 people. As it is common with the majority of AJK landscape, Nundrayi is situated at a tough steep location.

As per the local traditions, it is the responsibility of women to fetch water for household use. Safia Begum, a local resident and household lady, stated, “We used to get water for drinking from a distance of 3 km upward the hill. The journey takes normally 30 minutes from one side". According to Safia Begum, "here, women are responsible for doing all of the household works, taking care of small children and livestock. With all these responsibilities on our shoulders, it was really difficult for us to go for such a long distance to get water. Now that the tank has been built for us in the vicinity, we have been somehow relieved. Women of this hamlet are now having a first-hand access to get water by walking for few meters from their homes. We are happy and thankful by having this facility near to our homes".

Mohammad Naeem, a social worker and a member of the CO, highlights the community involvement in the project. He said, "the construction of the water tank has been completed successfully. The community has arranged the extension pipes. The community considers this facility as a public asset and will take care of it because it is benefiting us". He added, "We have succeeded in overcoming a critical issue of getting clean and sufficient water on regular basis with a lot of ease and comfort. This facility is helping a number of over 200 people". 

He concluded, "This facility has brought a positive change in the lives of the people in general and of the women in particular."