The World Bank (WB) has approved $240 million in financing for the Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2) to provide safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in the city of Karachi. “Safely managed WASH services are the foundation of public health and quality of life and are central to addressing the stunting crisis in Pakistan,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. “KWSSIP-2 will expand the scope of investments in bulk water augmentation, water treatment, wastewater treatment and reuse, water distribution, and sewer network rehabilitation. About half of all beneficiaries will be women, 58 percent will be youth (age 15–24), as well as over half a million people in Katchi Abadis (informal settlements),” a statement issued by the World Bank read.  The World Bank’s project for Karachi builds on KWSSIP-1 and will finance and expand on several investments to strengthen Karachi’s water supply, sewerage, sanitation, and treatment infrastructure throughout the city.

In addition, it will improve water and wastewater infrastructure and help expand safe drinking water and sanitation services in several Katchi Abadis (informal settlements), benefiting over half a million people. The long-term benefits of the project include reduced cost of using alternative water sources, reduced time spent collecting water, and health benefits from reducing waterborne diseases. “KWSSIP-2 will also continue to address the gender gap in employment, representation, and leadership at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) through gender-inclusive recruitment plans to hire more women in technical and decision-making positions,” said Khairy Al-Jamal, Task Team Leader for the project.

“It will support technical training for women, institutionalize an internship program for women graduates and create pathways for them to find employment within the utility, and support promoting women employees to higher-grade positions.” The project will provide safely managed water supply to nearly 16 million people and sanitation services to nearly 7.5 million people in Karachi by 2030. It will also improve the performance and financial sustainability of KWSC and promote private sector partnership in delivery of WASH services. This project is the first phase of the [World Bank’s support for the] Pakistan Urban WASH Services Program that aims to reach 33.5 million people with safely managed WASH services by 2035. KWSSIP-2 will be co-financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank with $240 million.

In addition, there will be Government contribution of $250 million and expected private sector and commercial finance of $269 million. This project is part of a World Bank South Asia regional initiative or program of programs to provide Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services to about 100 million people across the region by 2035. The World Bank in Pakistan has been a member of the World Bank since 1950. Since then, the World Bank has provided over $48.3 billion in assistance. The current portfolio has 54 projects and a total commitment of $15.7 billion.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)