Water Scarcity

From Balochistan to AJK to Rawalpindi, the women we interviewed expressed deep concern that their communities were facing increasing water scarcity. While the situation in Balochistan is undoubtedly urgent, water scarcity is nonetheless impacting the whole of Pakistan, having a negative impact on economic livelihoods and physical health and wellbeing.

At the Islamic Relief Water Pond outside Aghbarg Union Council in Balochistan (See Figure 8), Islamic Relief researchers spoke with a woman who had just finished doing laundry, with a wheelbarrow full of clothes. Her reflections on the water situation were as follows:

“Before the drought, there was plenty of water – we used to be able to walk in it. But now, because of the drought, water levels have gone drastically down. Before Islamic Relief built the water pond, life had become very difficult for us. We couldn’t wash our clothes… how can people wash clothes when there isn’t enough water for the whole community? There’s a massive shortage in available water. This is also important because without water, we have issues with electricity. The water pond is a gift from God. There was a lot of physical pain before as well from fetching water, but now all of that has improved.”

While there has long existed a water pond within Aghbarg, near Quetta, Balochistan, the pre-existing water pond did not have any walls protecting the water, so when it filled with water, by morning there was about a 35-40% water loss due to evaporation. Ever since Islamic Relief constructed a new water pond, the water containment has been far more successful. The current water pond is approximately 5 feet deep and can store 60-62 thousand gallons of water. The water pond provides water for the local population, which can be used for cooking, farming, and laundry, among other things. In fact, the water pond is currently supporting a nearby 10 acre farm that is growing wheat, onions and vegetables. In total, there are 25 direct beneficiaries of the water pond and on any given day around 10-12 women come to the pond to access the water.

In Balochistan, the impact of drought, climate variability and water scarcity is immense on farmers and local communities. However, it is particularly hard on women, who are traditionally responsible for fetching water for the household and must travel increasingly long distances. It is for this reason that Islamic Relief has put women at the center of programming in Balochistan. The Balochi women we spoke to describe the pain and exhaustion themselves and their daughters are facing, as they struggle to access water resources: