Health help: Argentina donates water purification tablets for IDPs

The tablets can purify two million litres of water

ISLAMABAD: In a move to support the emerging need to provide drinking water to thousands of internally displaced persons temporarily settled in DI Khan, the government of Argentina has donated water purification tablets to purify two million litres of water.

The ongoing military operation in North Waziristan has forced residents to move to cities for temporary settlement. Almost 100,000 displaced persons are now settled in DI Khan. As weak urban structures do not allow internally displaced populations to establish permanent setups with concrete structures, migrants are mostly staying in camps far from facilities.

“One of the major challenges that we face today is the provision of clean water,” said Faisal Karim Kundi, a former deputy speaker of the National Assembly and patron-in-chief of Aims Development Organisation, which is the recipient of the donation.

Kundi said that victims of the military operation were forced to leave their homes and settle for something way less. Speaking of D I Khan, he said that water was a huge concern. “Women are using contaminated water for cooking as well as other purposes, which is not safe”.

One tablet can clean an entire tank of water and thus reduce the risk of diseases, Kundi said, adding that the donation of thousands of tablets was sufficient for IDPs to drink clean water up for at least the next six months.

Kundi further said that with winter around the corner, the needs of IDPs had increased. “Donations of warm clothing, blankets, tents and mosquito nets must pour in to facilitate IDPs”.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Argentine Ambassador Rodolfo Saravia said that the donation was sent by the Argentinean government through the humanitarian organisation White Helmets.

“The Government of Argentina, with the support of the organisation and with the participation of the Argentinean Embassy, wanted to assure that we are and will always be present to assist, help and to comfort the Pakistani people,” he stressed.

Saravia added that it was unfortunate that victims of a disaster had to suffer further by living in unhygienic conditions. He said that clean water was essential for the well being of people.

The tablets were handed over at the residence of the ambassador, where members of AIMs and other embassy officials were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2014.