The World Bank will provide $300 million in funding for a project by the Government of Sindh aimed at expanding access to safe water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in rural areas of the province.
According to a World Bank document, the first phase of the project, titled Sindh Transformational Accelerated Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Services, is expected to be approved in September.
Project to benefit 2.5 million people
Based on per capita investment estimates, the initiative is expected to benefit around 2.5 million people across service clusters in 16 out of 23 rural districts of Sindh.
The project will mainly target areas with the highest concentrations of deprived populations, where sustainable and professionally managed WASH services can be implemented.
Funding structure
The project will receive $200 million in concessional financing from the International Development Association (IDA) and $100 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
In addition, the Asian Development Bank is expected to contribute $100 million, bringing the total project financing to about $550 million.
Addressing water contamination
Officials say the project is critical because about 90 percent of rural households in Sindh consume water contaminated with E. coli, highlighting serious gaps in sanitation, waste management, and hygiene practices.
To tackle these issues, the project will focus on integrated water supply and sanitation infrastructure, supported by sustainably managed WASH services to ensure long-term improvements in public health.
