Pakistani social project receives Dubai Int’l Award for Best Practices

KARACHI, Nov 20: 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).
A statement here on Thursday said this is the first ever social project from Pakistan to receive this prestigious award in the 14‑ year history of DIABP.It said the Award is sponsored by the Dubai Municipality, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai, in partnership with UN‑Habitat.

The statement said announcing the results, Engr. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said the submissions were judged on the criteria of projects’ tangible impact, partnership, and sustainability and also took into account the considerations of leadership and community empowerment, gender equality and social inclusion, and innovations which can be replicated in other societies and communities.

AKPBS,P initiated WASEP in 1997 with an aim to provide integrated clean drinking water supply infrastructure services to rural communities and to help prevent water related diseases through improved hygiene and sanitation practices.

With the support of international and national donors like PPAF, UNDP, KFW, Aga Khan Foundation, EC, etc., more than 200,000 individuals living in 250 villages across Pakistan have benefitted from this project with the disease rate decreasing to more than 60%.

The statement said 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.

The award distribution ceremony of DIABP will take place in Dubai, it was further pointed out.

Aga Khan Planning and Building Services is an affiliate of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of development agencies with mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, the promotion of private‑sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities dedicated to improve the living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender. (APP)