The Water and Sanitation Extension Programme (WASEP), an initiative of Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS, P), was declared as one of the twelve winners of the Dubai International Award for Best Practices (DIABP).
This is the first ever social project from Pakistan to receive this prestigious award in the 14-year history of DIABP. The award is sponsored by the Dubai Municipality, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, in partnership with UN-Habitat. WASEP was selected from a list of nearly 500 international submissions by the Award's Technical Advisory Committee.
With an objective to supply integrated water supply infrastructure and preventing the incidence of water-related diseases, WASEP has provided potable water and installed over 9200 latrines in 250 villages, benefiting over 200,000 people across the country.
According to World Health Organisation, (WHO) WASEP has reduced incidences of diarrhea reported in local health centres by at least 25 percent, while at the household level the reduction has been approximately 60 percent.
In his address Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman Dubai Municipality, said that the award reflects the policy and commitment of Dubai government and the United Arab Emirates towards sustainable development of the human settlements and protection of the environment on the basis of mutual international co-operation.
"The award seeks to encourage and recognise outstanding human achievements and experiences, to raise awareness on best practices that can improve lives of the marginalised people, and transfer them to other societies.
This award also provides an opportunity to all government organisations, the private sector, local authorities and civil society organisations to take part and present pioneering works and projects in this field", said Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality.
In Pakistan, like many countries of the developing world, inadequate quality and coverage of water and sanitation infrastructure is a major issue and is duly reflected in that fact that nearly 30 percent of reported illnesses and 40 percent of deaths in Pakistan are attributed to water-borne diseases.
For AKPBS, P's WASEP, the Award was received by Ms Shukur Perver, a beneficiary of the Water and Sanitation Programme in Gilgit and Hafiz Sherali, AKPBS, P's Chairman. Delivering the speech on behalf of Ms Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director, UNCHS, Ambassador Inga Björk-Klevby, Assistant-Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, said the awards were valuable means of recognising excellence, promoting learning and sharing best practices.
"This year, the award ceremony is held at a time when the world is going through the worst economic crisis in living memory. If we do not manage it better, while we still can, especially the urban part of it in which most of us live, we will lose the battle against climate disruption as well," said Inga Björk-Klevby.
The other winners of the 7th cycle of awards, from amongst the 500 submissions received, included projects from USA, China, Spain, South Africa, Indonesia, Palestine, Mexico, Colombia, Senegal, DR Congo and Burundi. In its 14 years of existence, DIAB has received 3100 submission from 140 countries, out of which 70 have been chosen as winners, including 12 of this year.-PR