Thatta’s water needs

More than five billion people could face severe water shortages by 2050 due to climate change, increased demand and contaminated supplies, according to a United Nations report on the state of the world’s water.

While the threat of water shortage might not seem imminent for many of Pakistan’s urban dwellers, the people of Thatta have been living through this perpetual nightmare for much of their lives. Besides having to contend with periodic natural disasters in the form of droughts and floods, the residents of Thatta have struggled for their survival due to the perennial absence of basic civic facilities like access to clean water and sanitation. Over the years, the people of Thatta have experienced a series of misfortunes that include the rampant spread of disease, depleted healthcare facilities, systematic administrative neglect and above all — hollow promises by our elected representatives that are never meant to be kept. But this must end now because for too long the resilient people of Thatta have been deprived of the very basic facilities that many of us take for granted. The unavailability of these basic facilities have jeopardised every aspect of human life in the area — including education. While, children all over the world have a universal right to a clean and safe school environment, this lack of basic sanitation and clean water means that each year, Thatta’s children — those who are fortunate enough to enroll — lose a significant number of school days due to the spread of common viral diseases like diarrhoea. The spread of disease is further compounded by lack of proper medical facilities in the area. So for those who are contesting the upcoming general election the challenging question now is: How will you serve your deprived constituents who deserve nothing less than clean water supply, sanitation, healthcare and the right to proper education? 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2018.

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