FAISALABAD: His Excellency, Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, inaugurated a project for the installation of water filtration plants in seven communities of District Faisalabad, Punjab. The project was implemented by Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, a non-governmental organization which has over three decades of experience in humanitarian and development work across Pakistan.
The Government of Japan, through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects(GGP) Program, provided financial assistance of 70,201 USD to this project, for the installation of seven water filtration plants in underserved communities such as Peoples Colony 2, Badar Colony, Kuri Wala, 40 Mor Jaranwala, Chak No. 421 GB, Hussainabad in Faisalabad District, and Bamba Bola in Okara District. The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials from the Embassy of Japan, representatives of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, and members of the beneficiary communities.
Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan has implemented several successful projects in the past in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy to improve the living standard of people in Pakistan. This project, funded by the Government of Japan responds to the urgent need of safe drinking water for over 400 households (or 2,870 people) in Faisalabad where a large proportion of the population is exposed to waterborne diseases due to contaminated water sources. The availability of clean drinking water will contribute to improve people’s health and livelihoods.
While speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu congratulated NGO for the successful completion of the project and appreciated its role in delivering essential services to underserved communities. Ambassador Akamatsu stressed that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and a key priority of Japan’s assistance policy toward Pakistan.
Ambassador Akamatsu emphasized that the Government of Japan’s commitment to continuing its support for the people of Pakistan and expressed his hope that this project would further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Japan and Pakistan.
