Success Story: Empowering Communities with Clean Water in Chitral
In the remote district of Chitral, access to clean drinking water has long been a challenge, leaving many communities vulnerable to waterborne diseases. However, a transformative project led by the Kurram Welfare Home, with the generous support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KS Relief), has brought hope and change through its Water Supply Scheme (WSS) initiative. As part of the Water Sanitation, Health, and Hygiene (WASH) program, the Kurram Welfare Home established 08 water schemes, including WSS-113 in Istaru and WSS-114 in Rambur. These schemes were designed to provide sustainable access to clean water, addressing the critical need for safe drinking water and improving public health. The benefits of these water schemes have been far reaching. Families that once walked long distances to fetch water now have it readily available at their doorsteps. Waterborne diseases, once a major health threat, have significantly decreased, leading to better overall health, particularly for children and the elderly. The schemes have also empowered women, who no longer bear the burden of fetching water, allowing them to engage in other productive activities. According to the one of the notables of Chitral region: “Thanks to the partnership between Kurram Welfare Home and KS-Relief, our communities have experienced improved living conditions and a brighter future”.