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Sustainable Pathways
At Community World Service Asia, we actively work alongside the communities we serve, our partners and local stakeholders to address these challenges.
Through our climate and resilience initiatives, we support sustainable resource management, strengthen local capacities, and help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. From promoting climate-smart practices to supporting plantation and ecosystem restoration efforts, our interventions contribute to healthier environments and stronger, more resilient communities.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners and community members whose dedication make this work possible.
Combating Desertification and Building Resilience in Thar
On World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026, Community World Service Asia (CWSA) engaged communities in Village Charihar Bheel, Thar, to raise awareness about the impacts of land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change on livelihoods and natural resources.
Through interactive awareness sessions, educational videos, cultural performances, and a community walk under the slogan “Save Water, Save Lives, Save Earth,” local communities reflected on the challenges they face and the collective action needed to promote water conservation, environmental stewardship, and resilience.
This event also encouraged community dialogue on water conservation and environmental protection and strengthened local participation through cultural performances. In line with the theme, community members presented a drama titled “Thar Ji Pukar”, depicting local environmental challenges. Another cultural performance based on the local song highlighted the hardships faced by women in fetching water during drought conditions.
From Climate Commitments to Local Action: Youth Leadership and Collective Responsibility for a Climate-Resilient Pakistan
Community World Service Asia (CWSA) recently collaborated with the Climate and Environment Charter Secretariat and various stakeholders across a series of events highlighting climate resilience as a shared responsibility. The events emphasised stronger youth leadership, locally led solutions, environmental sustainability, and collaboration to translate climate commitments into action for a more resilient and sustainable Pakistan.
Nishanie Jayamaha, Co-Coordinator of the Climate and Environment Charter Secretariat, along with other climate and humanitarian experts, contributed to these discussions, sharing insights on strengthening climate action and advancing practical, locally led solutions.
Seminar with University of Punjab
The seminar was organised in collaboration with the Department of Social Work, University of the Punjab, Lahore, under the theme “Climate Action and Sustainable Development: Empowering Youth Leadership for Climate Resilience and Global Climate Commitments.” It brought together students, academia, civil society and development practitioners to discuss Pakistan’s climate challenges and the urgent need to translate global climate commitments into meaningful, locally led action.
A key highlight was the keynote address by Ms. Nishanie Jayamaha, Co-Coordinator, Climate Charter, on “Climate Leadership and the Climate and Environment Charter – Inspiring Collective Action.” She introduced the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations as a framework for transformational change and emphasized the need to strengthen adaptation to climate and environmental crises, reduce the environmental footprint of humanitarian work, develop evidence-based solutions, and place local actors and communities at the centre of climate action.
The seminar highlighted the growing global engagement with the Charter, which has 540 signatories and 14 state supporters, representing a broad range of humanitarian, development, research and civil society organizations. The seminar concluded with the plantation activity, symbolizing the importance of translating climate dialogue and commitments into practical environmental action.
One-Day Seminar with Pakistan CSOs & the Climate and Environment Charter
From Global Commitments to Local Action: Strengthening Climate Resilience in Pakistan
Community World Service Asia (CWSA), in collaboration with the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations and Climate Action Forum (CAF) Pakistan, organised a National Training on the Climate and Environment Charter for Responsible Climate Action on 19–20 August 2026 at CWSA’s Training Facility in Murree.
The two-day training brought together around 30 representatives from NGOs, CWSA RECAP Project partners, CAF Pakistan, and members and signatories of the Climate and Environment Charter. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, participants explored the Charter’s principles and commitments and developed organisational action plans to strengthen climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable humanitarian and development programming.
The training was facilitated by Nishanie Jayamaha, Co-Coordinator, Climate and Environment Charter Secretariat; Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, Programme Advisor, CWSA; and Danish Batool Zaidi, MPH, Programme Coordinator, CWSA.
The training was followed by a one-day seminar, “From Global Commitments to Local Action: Strengthening Climate Resilience in Pakistan,” bringing together Pakistan’s civil society organisations and the Climate and Environment Charter.
The seminar focused on Pakistan’s climate realities, the role of civil society in generating evidence for climate sustainability, and the relevance of global climate and environmental commitments for organisations working in Pakistan.
The seminar explored Pakistan’s climate realities and national commitments, the role of CSOs in generating evidence for climate sustainability, and the Climate and Environment Charter’s principles and commitments. Participants also discussed practical ways to integrate climate action into organisational work and identified opportunities for continued collaboration and collective action.
National Training on Climate and Environment Charter for Responsible Climate Action
Community World Service Asia (CWSA), in collaboration with the Climate and Environment Charter Secretariat and Climate Action Forum (CAF) Pakistan, organised a two-day national training at CWSA Training Facility, Murree, Pakistan to strengthen understanding and implementation of the Climate and Environment Charter.
The training brought together around 30 representatives from NGOs, CWSA RECAP Project partners, CAF Pakistan, and members and signatories of the Charter. Participants explored the Charter’s principles and commitments and developed practical organisational action plans to strengthen climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable humanitarian and development programming.
The training explored the importance of climate and environmental action, introduced the Climate and Environment Charter and its application to humanitarian action, and examined its key commitments. Participants also explored how climate and environmental considerations can be integrated into organisational programming and operations.
The sessions further focused on developing organisational targets and goals, with participants working on practical action plans and receiving feedback to translate Charter commitments into concrete steps.
The training was facilitated by Nishanie Jayamaha, Co-Coordinator, Climate and Environment Charter Secretariat; Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, Programme Advisor, CWSA; and Danish Batool, Programme Coordinator, CWSA.
The training reinforced a key message: turning climate and environmental commitments into action requires practical planning, organisational ownership, and collective effort.
Strengthening Regional Climate Partnerships: CCDB Team Visits Pakistan for Knowledge Exchange and Nature-Based Solutions Training
As part of the Regional Enhancement for Climate Adaptation and Partnership (RECAP) project, a team from the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), comprising Mr. Md. Ashik Sarder, Project Coordinator, and Mr. John Rahul Baidya, Project Officer, visited Pakistan from 7–11 June 2026. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen regional collaboration, exchange experiences, and deepen partnerships among RECAP consortium members working across South Asia to enhance climate resilience and adaptation capacities.
A key component of the visit was the engagement with RECAP partner organisations and national institutions, providing the CCDB team with firsthand exposure to diverse approaches, experiences, and initiatives being implemented across Pakistan to address climate and development challenges.
Visit to Christian Study Centre (CSC) – 8 June 2026
On 8 June 2026, the CCDB team visited the Christian Study Centre (CSC) in Rawalpindi, where they were briefed on the organization’s longstanding commitment to promoting social justice, peacebuilding, interfaith harmony, and community empowerment. CSC shared insights into its work with marginalised communities, youth engagement initiatives, climate justice programming, and advocacy efforts aimed at fostering inclusive and resilient societies. The discussion highlighted the importance of integrating social cohesion and community participation into climate adaptation efforts, while providing an opportunity for both organisations to exchange experiences, lessons learned, and explore areas of mutual learning and collaboration.
Visit to Pakistan Partnership Initiative (PPI) – 9 June 2026
On 9 June 2026, the CCDB team visited the Pakistan Partnership Initiative (PPI), where they received an overview of the organisation’s role in strengthening local civil society organizations through capacity building, institutional development, and partnership facilitation. PPI shared its experiences in supporting community-led development initiatives, enhancing organisational effectiveness, and promoting sustainable development practices across Pakistan. Discussions focused on approaches to strengthening local capacities, fostering collaborative networks, and enabling grassroots organisations to play a greater role in addressing climate and development challenges. The exchange provided valuable insights into effective partnership models and strategies for strengthening community resilience through local ownership and collective action.
Visit to Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), MOCC – 10 June 2026
On 10 June 2026, the CCDB team visited the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), operating under Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change. The team was introduced to GCISC’s mandate and its contributions to climate science, policy research, and evidence-based decision-making in Pakistan. The briefing highlighted the Centre’s work on climate modeling, vulnerability assessments, adaptation planning, disaster risk reduction, and policy support for national climate action. Discussions explored emerging climate trends, adaptation priorities, and the critical role of research institutions in informing policy and practice. The interaction enabled participants to better understand how scientific knowledge, research, and innovation can support climate resilience efforts and contribute to informed climate action across South Asia.
Capacity Building Training on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Integrated Water and Climate Resilience – 8-10 June 2026
A key highlight of the visit was the participation of the CCDB team in the three-day Capacity Building Training on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Integrated Water and Climate Resilience, organised by Community World Service Asia (CWSA) in Islamabad from 8–10 June 2026. The training brought together representatives from partner organisations, civil society groups, and climate practitioners from across Pakistan. Led by Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, Lead Consultant, CWSA, the training provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of Nature-Based Solutions and their application in addressing climate and water-related challenges. The programme was further enriched by technical sessions delivered by experts, including Dr. Roomi Hayat, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Rural Management – IRM, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Former Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan, Mr. Haider Raza, Director NbS/North WWF-Pakistan, and Dr. Huma, Senior Research Officer, WWF-Pakistan. Drawing on their extensive experience in climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable natural resource management, the speakers shared practical insights, field experiences, and global best practices for designing and implementing effective Nature-Based Solutions.
The training covered the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, water resilience, gender inclusion, indigenous knowledge, and ecosystem-based approaches. Through expert-led sessions, case studies, and interactive exercises, participants explored practical ways to integrate NbS into organisational and community initiatives. The CCDB team shared experiences from Bangladesh on flood management, wetland restoration, and community resilience, while participants developed action plans to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable ecosystem management.
The CCDB team’s visit to Pakistan was marked by meaningful exchanges, shared learning, and strengthened partnerships among RECAP consortium members and partner organisations. Through institutional briefings, technical discussions, partner engagements, and collaborative learning opportunities, participants gained deeper insights into diverse approaches to climate adaptation, resilience building, and sustainable development being implemented across the region. The visit reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation, cross-country learning, and knowledge sharing in addressing the growing challenges of climate change. These strengthened partnerships, shared experiences, and collective commitments will continue to contribute to the objectives of the RECAP project, fostering greater collaboration and enhancing climate adaptation and resilience-building efforts across South Asia.
Lessons from Technology for Resilience
On 23 July 2026, Community World Service Asia (CWSA) and CWS Japan, with the support of the People of Japan, hosted Technology for Resilience: Strengthening Disaster Resilience of Climate-Affected Communities at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. The half-day experience-sharing event brought together government institutions, academia, NGOs, UN agencies, the private sector and community representatives from Umerkot District to reflect on six years of resilience programming and explore how technology and innovation can strengthen climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
At the heart of the event were the experiences of communities themselves.
“Water is dearer and more expensive than gold for us.” — Ms. Dahi, community member, Umerkot
For Ms. Dahi, access to safe drinking water once meant spending entire days travelling to collect it. The installation of a reverse osmosis (RO) plant in her village one of 24 installed under the project has brought the water source closer to home, improving access to safe water and easing the chronic back pain she experienced from years of carrying water over long distances.
For Mr. Sikander, lined water channels helped transform flood-damaged agricultural land. Improved water management enabled him to expand his farmland from 8 to 12 acres and establish a flourishing kitchen garden.
Mr. Gulzar spoke about a different kind of transformation. After losing his home to floods, the introduction of safe evacuation shelters, mock drills and disaster risk reduction awareness has helped his community move from facing disasters with uncertainty to being better prepared for what may come.
These stories reflect a broader journey of resilience programming in Umerkot. Over six years, three complementary interventions responded to evolving community needs: RO plants from 2020–2023, water channel lining from 2024–2025, and evacuation shelters and flood risk mapping from 2025–2026.
When Community Knowledge Becomes Data
One of the strongest messages emerging from the event was that technology is most effective when it is combined with local knowledge.
In Umerkot’s flat terrain, satellite imagery alone cannot always provide a complete picture of flood risk. Communities therefore contributed their own knowledge of where floodwaters had previously travelled, which areas had been submerged and which routes remained accessible. This information was translated into hazard maps using QGIS, turning lived experience into data that could support preparedness and planning.
Technology was also used to identify suitable locations for safe drinking water infrastructure. Electrical Resistivity Surveys conducted across 28 villages helped identify areas with access to fresh groundwater, informing the placement of 24 RO plants.
But technology was only one part of the solution. The infrastructure is sustained by Village Management Committees, trained local operators and community contributions, demonstrating how local ownership can determine whether an intervention remains useful long after a project ends.
Inclusion Is Part of Innovation
The event also highlighted that access to technology must go beyond providing digital tools or infrastructure.
Project materials were translated into Sindhi and Dhatki, ensuring that communities could understand and participate in the interventions affecting their lives. Local committees were involved in managing infrastructure, while community members contributed their knowledge to risk mapping and preparedness planning.
The message was clear: innovation does not always mean the highest technology; it means technology that is appropriate, relevant and accessible.
As Ms. Minyoung Kim of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) noted, “Innovation does not always mean the highest technology; it means technology that is appropriate, relevant, and accessible.”
From Local Experience to a National Conversation
The event provided a space for community experiences to inform a wider conversation on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
Representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Fatima Group, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and academia joined community members in discussing how technology can support more effective and inclusive climate action.
Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening data sharing, improving access to technology and digital skills, and ensuring that innovation does not deepen existing inequalities.
NDMA shared insights into the use of artificial intelligence and satellite imagery for disaster management, while UNDP emphasised the importance of appropriate and accessible innovation. IWMI highlighted the risk that the digital divide can further exclude vulnerable communities, while the private sector brought perspectives on strengthening resilient agriculture and aligning investments with longer-term sustainability targets.
The Way Forward
The discussions pointed towards several priorities for strengthening climate resilience:
- Improve data-sharing mechanisms, with national and provincial disaster management authorities playing a leading role.
- Close the digital divide through greater access to technology, information and capacity building.
- Put communities at the centre of climate and disaster risk reduction policies and planning.
- Connect scientific and technological tools with local knowledge to develop solutions that respond to actual community needs.
- Expand successful approaches to neighbouring communities facing similar climate and disaster risks.
The event also reinforced the importance of collaboration. Government institutions, civil society, academia, UN agencies, the private sector and communities each hold different pieces of the resilience puzzle. Bringing these perspectives together can help turn data, technology and knowledge into practical protection.
A Cake That Everyone Must Bake
Closing the event, Mr. Go Igarashi of CWS Japan shared a Japanese expression, “e ni kaita mochi,” a picture of a cake that looks delicious but cannot actually be eaten.
The analogy captured the central lesson of the day: a sophisticated hazard map, evacuation plan or technological solution has limited value if it remains on paper or inside an office. Technology creates resilience when communities can understand it, access it, use it and ultimately take ownership of it.
A picture of a cake feeds no one.
By bringing together technology, community knowledge, local ownership and partnership, the experience from Umerkot demonstrates how maps and plans can become meaningful protection and how climate resilience can move from a concept to something communities experience in their everyday lives.
Technology matters most when it works for people.
Leaders, Youth, Humanitarian Practitioners and Global Experts Unite for Locally Led Climate Action in Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit, September 8, 2026 — In a major step toward strengthening climate resilience in high-mountain and severely climate impacted ecosystems, Karakoram International University (KIU), in partnership with Community World Service Asia (CWSA), hosted the International Conference on Nature-Based Solutions, Local Adaptation, and Global Commitments today at the KIU Gilgit Campus.
The landmark gathering brought together over 200 youth leaders, climate affected communities, researchers, environmental practitioners, and global humanitarians to advance practical, community-centered responses to the climate crisis in mountain regions.
Marking a major milestone for climate science in the region, the conference opened with the inauguration of the Centre for Cryosphere Studies, a specialised research hub at KIU dedicated to studying glacier dynamics, climate impacts, and high-altitude environmental changes in Gilgit-Baltistan.
This Centre will focus on disaster and flood modelling, hazard and vulnerability risk assessment, climate-adaptive agriculture and livelihoods glacial mass balancing, and glacial lake outburst flood modelling, using modern tools such as GIS, remote sensing, and AI. The Centre was jointly inaugurated by Takeshi Komino, Chairperson of the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), and Prof. Dr. Abdul Razaq, Vice Chancellor of KIU.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of CWSA, Danish Batool emphasised the essential role of intergenerational partnership and community leadership in climate adaptation. She reminded the audience saying, “This conference is a powerful reflection of how education, partnerships, and collective action can drive us towards a more resilient and sustainable future.”
Connecting Global Commitments to Mountain Realities
During the technical session, “Climate Resilience and Sustainability in Global Practices,” international humanitarian leaders explored how local environmental stewardship reinforces global climate commitments.
William Anderson, Executive Director of Sphere, emphasised the vital role of humanitarian standards and nature-based solutions.He said, “We shouldn’t be paralysed by the scale of the challenge. Change doesn’t have to start with something huge. Each of us can take small steps. And those small steps, taken together, can put us on a very different path towards positive change for the world around us.”
Nishanie Jayamaha from the Climate & Environment Charter Secretariat highlighted the operationalisation of global pledges and the need for organisations to adapt. She stated, “We need to rethink our programmes and ask ourselves: are we supporting communities to adapt, or are we unintentionally causing more harm?” Nishanie further added, “Nature-based solutions are part of adaptation. Before we build, we need to think about how we can work with the ecosystem.”
While, Takeshi Komino, Chairperson of ADRRN, addressed the intersection of disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. “We need to put communities at the centre of our decisions. We may talk about mapping, technology and technical expertise, but we always need to think about the community first. Communities are ultimately the ones who sustain resilience.”
Local Leadership, Storytelling, and Youth Innovation
A multi-sectoral panel titled “Local Climate Adaptation in Gilgit-Baltistan: Opportunities and Solutions” featured prominent regional voices, including Shehzad Hasan Shigri (Director, Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency), Haider Raza (Director North/Nature-based Solutions, WWF-Pakistan), and Murtaza Ansari (renowned filmmaker and digital storyteller). Together, they examined resilient infrastructure, local ecosystem conservation, and the power of digital narrative in mobilizing community action.
Complementing this, Zarmast Khan Sherazi (Environmental Specialist, P&D Department, GB), Dr. Shaukat Ali (Associate Professor, KIU), and Mujeeb Sardar (Coordinator REDD+, Forest Department, GB) explored strategies to mainstream indigenous knowledge and local forestry into formal development planning.
Reflecting the regional government’s active support for locally led adaptation, Muhammad Ali Akhtar, Minister Finance of Gilgit-Baltistan, attended the conference alongside international guests Laura Jensen, Regional Representative Asia from Act CoS and Rania Salameh, Method Advisor on Locally Led Approaches from ACT CoS.
Highlighting the agency of the next generation, the conference featured a vibrant youth exhibition where students presented grassroots research and innovative climate solutions through poster presentations.
Concluding the event, Tooba Siddiqi, Associate Regional Director at CWSA, stated that “every framework, every policy, and every research paper only matters if it reaches the communities we work with and benefits them. That is the measure I would ask you to carry out of this room.”
A Landmark Collaboration to Strengthen Public Health and Climate Action
Community World Service Asia and the Health Services Academy, Islamabad, have officially signed a Letter of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the areas of climate change, healthcare, and social development.
This partnership marks a significant step towards advancing research initiatives, implementing innovative programmes and promoting evidence-based practices in Pakistan.
Through this initiative, pressing public health and development challenges will be addressed while strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals across the country.
Where water was priceless
“Spill some ghee (clarified butter), that’s all right. But never a drop of water. That is what they said in our village,” 20-year-old Pratap recounts. He has only heard tales. Tales from the time when men would set out for Umerkot early in the morning with empty water bags/vessels on their camels. A trek of 20 kilometres took up to five hours. There they would fill up the bags and return the way they had come from. At home they would empty their water bags into earthen pitchers that stood in their courtyards. Some households had as many as twenty of them so as to cut down on the number of camel trips to the town.
The sweet water from Umerkot was for human consumption only, recalls Pratap. For bathing and washing up, they used the bitter water they got from their wells which everyone affirmed contributed to their skin rash and itching. It was too bitter, even for livestock to consume for which usually the tarai (natural pond) outside the village, sufficed. But it filled only when the rains were good and there had been too many waterless summers that had made these ponds cracked clay. Most families migrated to the barrage area on the western edge of the desert, rich with canals and agriculture where they worked as farm labourers and their livestock fed in the pastures and drank from the canals and ponds.
“Livestock was wealth for us and we could not afford to let them die. There were times when all men would be away with the cattle. Sometimes whole families moved and the village was completely deserted,” says Pratap. He goes on to explain that in such cases they would remain there to take part in either the wheat or cotton harvest depending on the time of year. They would return with bags of wheat and cash as wages just in time to harvest their millets and cluster beans that few men had remained behind to tend.
At the turn of the century, as road networks improved, water tankers began reaching remote villages. Families in Bandi responded by constructing underground concrete tanks, and soon the practice of importing water from Umerkot became a lifeline.
Pratap recalls those early days but cannot say what a single 1000‑litre tanker cost when the system first began. He does remember paying PKR 12,000 (USD 43) for one, before the installation of Bandi’s reverse‑osmosis plant in May 2021, built through the support of a collaborative project by Community World Service Asia, CWS Japan, and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Today, a tanker is needed every five to six days on average, with families spending around PKR 15,000 (USD 53) per month. In the scorching summer months, demand rises, more tankers roll in, and costs climb even higher. For the people of Bandi, it has been a relentless struggle, yet they have paid whatever was necessary, because no price is too great for the water that sustains life.
A combined approach that amalgamates solar powered technology with community-based management systems was harnessed to ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water where many similarly installed plants have become abandoned sites in the middle of sand dunes.
The process includes remote sensing and aerial imagery to identify potential groundwater zones, surveys to assess water quality and quantity, mapping out suitable locations for drilling and installation, and Hydrogeological validation using scientific and indigenous knowledge.
Tests carried out for subsoil water showed a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level of near 14,000 which is very high for human consumption and to purify which, a ‘sea membrane’ fitted RO plant was necessary. Work began on the plant and a Water Management Committee (WMC) to tend to RO plant affairs was also set up under the project to ensure community ownership and participation. Just as the year’s warmest months came upon Bandi, the solar-powered RO plant came into action.
“May 2021 put an end to the water tanker’s business from our village. The only time we have ever called for a tanker since then is for weddings when we have guests from other villages,” reports Pratap who heads the WMC.
The best outcome of the RO plant is that children are in school because now families save, on average, PKR 15,000 (USD 53) every month. Also, says Pratap, the quality of food has improved for everyone. Following the installation, each household now has access to approximately 40 litres of safe drinking water per day.
“Now there is no family that only has chilli paste with millet flatbread.” Even better, he says as an afterthought, is the availability of milch cattle in the village year round. “Now we have milk tea and milk for children. I cannot recall a time since May 2021 that I’ve had black tea at home.”
With migration enforced by the need to protect their livestock now obviated, only one or two men per family move to the irrigated areas in March for the wheat harvest. Most family members, especially women, remain in the village to tend to local agriculture, children and cattle. Schools that were deserted every year in March now continue to hum with the activity of children at their lessons.
Every morning with sunrise, the plant fills up the 2000-litre storage tank for the 75 households of Bandi. Outside the little building housing the plant, activity begins early as women stream in with their pitchers followed a little later by livestock with the waiting time reduced to less than three minutes. TDS levels have reduced to around 250 ppm, with water now accessible to village homes within a maximum distance of 300 meters.
But it has been seen that virtually hundreds of RO plants lie derelict and unserviceable after only a couple of years of service. How then does the Bandi plant continue to work five years after installation? “Every member family of the WMC contributes a monthly subscription of PKR 200 (USD 0.72) which is saved for maintenance of the plant. Not even the smallest fault goes unattended,” explains Pratap.
That’s the reason for the smiles in Bandi.
The Climate Podcast – Episode 1: From commitments to action – frontline realities
The Climate Podcast – Episode 1: Community World Service Asia hosts an insightful conversation with Shumaila Murtaza, MEAL Manager and PSEA Focal Point at the Foundation for Rural Development (FRD) and Nishanie Jayamaha, Co‑coordinator of the Secretariat for the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations. Together, they explored how the humanitarian sector is responding to the climate challenge and unpacked the Climate Charter’s role in turning commitments into action; from policy discussions to frontline realities and climate action already taking place in Pakistan. Tune in to discover how aid organisations are building resilience and driving change in this climate‑critical decade.
