ISLAMABAD: Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson, on Tuesday, opened a facility in Bullay Bala, Punjab which would provide the community with clean drinking water and improved sanitation services. The clean drinking water supply and wastewater collection and treatment facility was funded by the Australian Government and implemented by Plan International. High Commissioner Adamson said the Australian Government was pleased to support the development of the facility under the Australian Civil Society Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Fund. The project worked with Bullay Bala community and local government departments to promote improved water, sanitation and hygiene practices and also to improve access to sanitation. “Access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities and better hygiene plays a pivotal role in the health and economy of a community,” Ms Adamson said. Ms Adamson visited a girls’ high school in Roopwal where washrooms have been installed alongside an interactive display promoting improved water, sanitation and hygiene practices. Ms Adamson noted the strong link between water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 50 per cent of malnutrition is associated with infections caused by poor water, sanitation and hygiene practices. “Supporting nutrition in Pakistan is a priority for the Australian Government and it aims to achieve that by supporting provincial governments to improve nutrition-related services,” Ms Adamson said. The Civil Society WASH Fund supports 13 civil society organisations to deliver programs in the Pacific, Asia and Africa. In Pakistan, Australia has also supported a similar project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, working with the International Rescue Committee. Published in Daily Times, November 1st 2017.