World Bank approves $300mn for water, sanitation projects in rural Sindh

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $300 million in financing to expand access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for 1.5 million people in selected rural areas of Sindh.

The financing will support the first phase of the Sindh Transformational Accelerated Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Services Project (STAR WASH-1), which is part of a broader $540 million co-financed initiative aimed at modernising rural utility services and addressing major public health challenges.

“Stunting is among Pakistan’s most severe and persistent human capital challenges, and unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene is a major underlying driver,” said Bolormaa Amgaabazar, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.

According to the World Bank, unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation expose young children to repeated bouts of diarrhoea, affecting nutrient absorption and restricting their physical and cognitive development.

More than half of children under the age of five in rural Sindh are stunted, highlighting the need for improved water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Under STAR WASH-1, approximately 1.5 million people will gain access to safe drinking water, safely managed sanitation and improved hygiene services.

The project will finance climate-resilient infrastructure, including solar-powered water supply schemes, upgraded sanitation facilities and wastewater management systems.

It will also introduce an integrated social and behavioural change campaign to promote hygiene practices at household and community levels.

Beyond infrastructure development, the initiative aims to establish financially sustainable and professionally managed rural water and sanitation services.

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The programme is expected to support the formalisation of the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF), a government-owned, not-for-profit entity, into a dedicated rural water, sanitation and hygiene utility company.