News & Updates

Signing Ceremony of "EU funded WATSAN Project" August 8, 2011

Press release

Quetta: (August 8): Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP) and European Union have signed an agreement for a water and sanitation project in Jafarabad and Zhob. The ceremony was held under the aegis of BRSP at a local hotel here on Monday. The event was attended by the officials of provincial department of PHED, health and education, Local Govt, representatives of UN agencies and local and international organizations, media representatives, civil society and people from different walks of life.

The project titled “Rehabilitation of WATSAN facilities in Balochistan” will serve more than 400,000 populations of the two districts in two years. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nadir Gul Barech Chief Executive BRSP highlighted major contributions of BRSP in Balochistan in the last two decades. He said that BRSP is leading the development process in the province and it has served poor people in sectors including health, education, WATSAN, livelihood, agriculture, livestock and physical infrastructure. He added that BRSP has been the lead organization in responding to the three emergencies that Balochistan has faced in the last four years. He also emphasized that WATSAN project will benefit the poor people of far flung areas in Balochistan. Mr. Barech further said that the project will enhance community awareness on clean drinking water and sanitation issues. He thanked the EU delegation in Pakistan for their continued support that has benefited millions of people in the country including Balochistan.

Meanwhile, the Additional Secretary PHED Mr. Sheikh Nawaz also said that PHED department has always remained very supportive to such projects that serve in far flung districts of the province. He appreciated the collaboration between BRSP and PHED and said that they have set unique example of public and private partnership and have remained close partners. He hoped that this project, like all the other joint projects of BRSP and PHED, will also leave a great difference in the lives of poor people.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Berend de Groot Counsellor/Head of the Operations also addressed the audience and said that he is very happy to come to Balochistan. He thanked BRSP for hosting a prestigious gathering to welcome and meet him in Balochistan. He further said that EU is committed to serve the marginalized people in Balochistan province with clean drinking water, health and education programs. He highlighted the importance of the WATSAN project signed with BRSP which will have great results for the rural poor of the province by providing them facilities of clean drinking water and sanitation. He emphasized that this is the beginning of EU and Balochistan partnership and EU is committed to support the people of Balochistan in its future programs. Mr. Groot thanked BRSP and people of Balochistan for their warm welcome and expressed the commitment of EU to support the people in Balochistan to raise their standard of living.  

As Chief Guest of the gathering, Haji Ainullah Shams, the provincial Health Minister praised all the efforts that intend to improve the standards of humanity. He thanked The European Union for supporting the people of Balochistan province and working for their well being. He also thanked BRSP for serving the people of Balochistan with unprecedented efforts. He assured BRSP that Govt of Balochistan will extend all its support to programs that alleviate the sufferings of poor people.     

The event was followed by Iftar dinner.

<< Back News & Updates