PAKISTAN’S DRINKING WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION STATUS IN POST 2010 FLOOD SCENARIO: HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND COMMUNITY NEEDS

The flood of July, 2010 severely influenced on drinking water and environmental sanitation systems in 82 out of 122 districts of Pakistan. As a consequence, several humanitarian organizations launched water supply and environmental sanitation relief and rehabilitation programs in the affected areas. Field standard methods were used to examine drinking water quality of 100 randomly collected samples and communities’ needs were investigated by conducting FGDs and personal interviews in two targeted districts (Swat and Sukkur). Moreover, different NGOs’ approaches in the provision of drinking water and environmental sanitation services were also critical analyzed. Microbiological water quality results indicated that 76%, 80% and 92%, 86% of water samples contains E. coli and total Coliforms in district Swat and Sukkur respectively. Turbidity, pH and conductivity of most of the water samples were within WHO standards. In the field studies it was noticed that the local people demands were changed from emergency to early recovery phase and also their perceptions on relief activities were not rational. Moreover, community participation during assessment was highly recommended.