Pandemic is the reminder of the issues faced by communities located in remote areas with limited access to water all over the world. Access to clean water is an important factor affecting public health, regardless of whether it is used for drinking, domestic use or for industrial purposes. Improving water supply and sanitation systems, as well as improved water management efficiency can contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction.

Within the framework of the Joint Programme of UNDP and UNFPA on ‘Building the resilience of local communities against health, environmental and economic insecurities in the Aral Sea region’, funded by the Government of Japan, 650 people got access to drinking water, among which 331 women and 319 men living in two communities of the Chimbay district of Karakalpakstan. The water supply networks were installed in the village of Zhanamakan, the village council of citizens (VCC) named ‘Bakhytly’ and in the city council of citizens named ‘Gujimli’ with total length of 10,600 meters.

Bakhytgul Kallibekova from VCC "Bakhytly" 54 years. She is a housewife.

- 9 people live in our household. On behalf of everyone, I would like to express gratitude to everyone who was involved in this project. We feel endless happiness, as water available now in our homes.

Before the work of joint project, the locals gained water from the tank, which was delivered to the community using a tractor once a week on Thursdays. And sometimes there was not enough water.

- Now much has changed. I no longer send children for water. Instead, they study or help me with household matters, in managing the livestock, for which the issue with water scarcity is also solved. And it was quite difficult to go for water in winter, cold and slippery roads were very dangerous. All of this is in the past now.

Also this year, the construction of a water supply network and reconstruction of a water desalination station with the installation of water purification equipment for the rural population in the 'Koshkar Zhikan' and 'Mayzhab' VCCs of the Chimbay district, for 550 people, where 280 are women, have been successfully completed.

The Joint Programme works to eliminate environmental, social and economic instability in the most vulnerable communities of the Aral Sea region, by providing comprehensive solutions to address environmental concerns, expand access to basic services, and improve the well-being of the local population.