Community Management of Water Supply Schemes by Afghani Refugees in NWFP, Punjab and Balochistan

In 1994, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) was preparing for a withdrawal of support to Afghani refugees in Pakistan, and was encouraging self-sufficiency where a perceived dependency on free services had developed. Cowater was contracted to develop and assist in implementing self-sufficiency through transfer of water supply schemes (mostly tube wells with electric pumps and distribution systems). Cowater advised, trained, coordinated and monitored implementation of the transfer of water supply schemes serving 55 Afghan refugee communities (500,000 people) located in NWFP, Punjab and Balochistan. This involved working with Public Health Engineering Departments, developing field methodology, holding participatory workshops for UNHCR, and monitoring the handover program. In NWFP and Punjab, Cowater advised the program and strengthened agency staff, whereas in Balochistan Cowater was responsible for the whole process and had its own teams in the field. The project was later extended to three additional phases until 1996, when it won the CIDA Award for International Development.