Ministry of Environment along with its partners is working on a comprehensive plan to launch ‘Saaf Suthra (clean) Pakistan Programme’ that envisages total sanitation all across the country to achieve the Millennium Development Goals targets.
Sources at the ministry told APP that allocations would be made for the programme over the next five years to achieve the total sanitation target.
“The ‘Saaf Suthra Pakistan Programme’ will have a phased approach for creating demand through communication and capacity development units in each province,” sources said.
“The programme will also include surveys and mapping
for component sharing in selective TMAs and setting up of provincial social mobilisation units to scale up community and school led approaches,” sources added.
Experts at the two-day Pakistan Conference on Sanitation (PACOSAN) a couple of days back had also recommended
multiple approaches to focus
on the ‘Clean Pakistan Programme’.
It was also proposed during the conference that Rs12.5
billion would be allocated to
execute the programme over
the next five years, as the environment minister had set a
target of total sanitation for all by 2015.
Sources also mentioned that setting up of ‘Rural Sanitation Marts’ in selected tehsils, provision of revolving funds and micro-finance, special consideration for the poorest of the poor, and coverage enhancement of public toilets are other features of the programme.
NGOs would be involved to develop, test, document, and replicate successful models for total sanitation, and solid and liquid waste management, the sources added.
Mentioning the guiding principles of the National Sanitation Action Plan, sources said that open defecation would be unacceptable and there should be an inclusive participatory development.
The total sanitation concept would be adapted with improved sanitation provided to all and focus would be on productive infrastructure only, ensuring that no one is exposed to the risks of unconfined ‘human excreta’ and solid waste. Progress would be accelerated to achieve health benefits and coordinate efforts within a framework of mutual accountability.
Sources also mentioned to improve governance, reward collective outcomes, incentives for producing performance information and support IEC for collective behavioural change.