By Asia Awais | Project Manager
1. Background and Context
Pakistan continues to face devastating climate impacts, with the 2025 monsoon season unleashing floods that have affected millions of people across the country, including in Punjab province where Sahjra Union Council is located. As of September 2025, heavy rains and flash floods resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries nationwide, while thousands of villages, crops, homes, and crucial infrastructure such as water systems have been damaged or destroyed.
Youth Advocacy Council Pakistan has successfully initiated the project “Clean Water for Flood-Affected Families” in Sahjra Union Council, District Kasur, Punjab. The first deep hand pump has been installed in Village Bhikhiwind, a highly vulnerable rural settlement located on the zero line of the Indo-Pakistan border, where communities face both geographic isolation and severe climate-related risks.
Flooding disrupts water supply and sanitation systems, significantly increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and public health emergencies, especially in rural communities. Globally, lack of access to safe drinking water causes tens of thousands of child deaths due to diarrheal diseases, and Pakistan is no exception with high vulnerability to WASH-related health challenges.
Before the floods, many communities in Pakistan already lacked safely managed drinking water services, and floods further eroded those limited gains, leaving millions without reliable access to clean water.
Youth Advocacy Council Pakistan initiated the “Clean Water for Flood-Affected Families” project to address the urgent need for safe drinking water and improved hygiene practices among flood-affected households across Sahjra Union Council.
2. Project Objective
The project aims to:
To achieve this, the project proposed installation of 25 deep hand pumps in key flood-impacted villages and delivery of hygiene and sanitation awareness sessions targeting women, schoolchildren, and local leaders.
3. Activities Implemented (Initial Phase)
During this reporting period, the Youth Advocacy Council Pakistan initiated the first phase of implementation, completing the following key activities:
Installation of First Deep Hand Pump — Village Bhikhiwind
The primary installation activity was the drilling and erection of a deep hand pump in Village Bhikhiwind. This strategic site was selected following baseline surveys and community consultation to ensure maximum impact and equitable access for families displaced or affected by flood-induced water source contamination.
The hand pump now serves approximately 100 families (about 600 individuals), providing dependable and safe groundwater that replaces unsafe surface water sources previously relied upon.
Community members, especially women and youth, actively participated in the installation process, reinforcing local ownership and accountability for maintenance.
Women-Led Advocacy and Coordination
These mobilization efforts emphasized the importance of sustainable WASH systems and the need for cooperation between community leaders and local authorities to safeguard water infrastructure, especially in disaster contexts.
Hygiene and Safe Water Awareness Sessions
To complement physical water supply interventions, YAC conducted targeted awareness sessions in the following groups:
These sessions empowered participants with practical knowledge to reduce risks of diarrhea, cholera, and other common illnesses associated with contaminated water.
Baseline Community Survey and Mapping
Prior to installation, a detailed community survey was conducted to:
This field assessment ensured that interventions were evidence-based and responsive to the real needs of flood-affected residents.
4. A Moment of Gratitude from the Community
One of the most heart-touching moments of this implementation phase came from the schoolchildren of the village. After learning about the importance of clean drinking water and understanding that the new hand pump was supported through GlobalGiving donors, the children prepared a handmade chart.
On the chart, they wrote:
“Thank You GlobalGiving”
Alongside the message, they drew smiling faces and pictures of water droplets, symbolizing happiness and relief. The children expressed that they had been facing serious difficulties due to lack of clean drinking water, and now they feel safe and joyful because their need has been fulfilled.
This spontaneous expression of gratitude reflects the real and visible impact of donor support. For these children, access to clean water is not just infrastructure, it is health, dignity, and hope.
5. Challenges Encountered
These challenges underscore the urgency and importance of civil society interventions such as YAC’s project.
6. Next Steps
With continued funding, Youth Advocacy Council Pakistan will:
7. Conclusion
The initial milestone of successfully installing the first deep hand pump in a flood-affected village of Sahjra Union Council reflects a strong foundation for this project’s goals. With community participation, evidence-based planning, and continued support, the project will bring sustainable access to clean drinking water to thousands of families, improve health outcomes, and foster resilient local WASH systems.
Youth Advocacy Council Pakistan remains committed to finishing the full scope of the project and transforming lives through clean water access and enhanced community health.
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