Shell Pakistan initiates village project
Sep 20, 2010
Shell Pakistan Limited has recently joined hands with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and Health and Nutrition Development Authority (HANDS) to transform an impoverished village on the outskirts of Karachi into a model settlement.
Speaking to representatives from the community, media and stakeholders at the ground breaking ceremony held at Goth Noor Muhammad village today, Afshan Khan, Shell’s Social Investment Manager highlighted the benefits of this public-private partnership to achieve a common goal.
“We are gathered here today to help residents of Goth Noor Muhammad village take a first step toward improving their livelihoods and making a better future for their children. Our ambition is that the community will be our partners in this endeavor to deliver a common aspiration.”
Located approximately 25-kilometers away from Karachi city near a solid waste dumping site, Goth Noor Muhammad is defined as an “ultra-poor” settlement with most of the 800 residents living well below the poverty line. Having no access to potable water and other basic necessities of life, the men, women and children live in unhygienic conditions and eke out their living by sifting through garbage to collect pieces of glass and scrap metal.
Both Shell Pakistan and the NGO, PPAF will provide basic housing, infrastructure, health, education in addition to clean water and sanitation facilities to transform this settlement into a self-sustainable and integrated village development project.
The reconstruction of houses would be supported through the use of indigenous technology and energy efficient materials. Community members will also be taught new skills to earn an income so that they are able to have financial ownership in the projects development, drawing on Shell’s focus toward sustainable development.
For Enquiries:
For any enquiries regarding the Village Project, please contact:
Ali Nasir Khan
Communications & Media Advisor
Shell Pakistan Limited
Telephone:+92 21 5689525 (Ext: 2948) or +92 21 5630120