Pakistan is the sixth-most populous country in the world with a population of 143 million. About half of the population is under 18 years old, with one-third less than five years of age. Sixty-eight percent of the population lives in urban areas.

The percentage of population having adequate drinking water has risen from 53 to 60% over the period 1988/89 to 2001/02. The quantity of drinking water available is inadequate and the quality is deteriorating as a result of pollution from chemicals, including arsenic, or bacteriological contamination. Household access to latrines rose to 39% in 2001/02 compared to 25% in 1988/89, with variation from 59% in urban areas to 27% in rural areas. Overall, 64% of primary schools do not have sanitary latrines and 46% lack safe drinking water.

UNICEF’s Program Objectives

The objectives of the UNICEF Country Programme Action Plan (2004-2008) concentrate on the following:

• Mental and Child Health Care
• Primary Education
• Water, Environment and Sanitation (WES)
• Child Protection and Empowerment of Adolescents
• Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

The overall objective of UNICEF’s WES Programme is to increase primary school enrolment and retention in 20 districts; to contribute to water quality and water resources management; to promote household latrines and improve hygiene practices in rural areas in six districts; and to enhance preparedness and response in emergencies with a focus on provision of safe water and promotion of improved hygiene practices. The programme has three projects: School Water and Sanitation, Water Quality and Management, and Community WES. All projects were designed to have component to enhance preparedness and response in emergencies.