ISLAMABAD: Over 24,000 people, including 2,400 children, will be able to access clean water through construcdon of seven water filtration plants in rural areas. Lack of clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities make going to school tougher than it shouldbeforchildreninPakistan.

According to data gathered by WaterAid, while 21.7 million people do not have access to clean water and over 19,400 children under five die each year from diarrhoea in Pakistan, steps have been taken to provide clean drinking water to thousands of people.

Keeping this in view, PepsiCo Foundation has extended its partnership with WaterAid to begin its `Access to Safe Water` programme for rural communities. In addition to this, clean toilets and hand-washing facilities will be installed inschools and locals will be educated about behaviour related to water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash).

This was announced by PepsiCo Senior Director Commercial and Corporate Affairs Mohammad Khosa in the presence of local government officials and members of the local community.

`We strongly believe in creating smiles for everyone; especially for the communities we work with.

The rural extension of our safe water programme will focus on provision of safe water to under served communities,` he said.

WaterAid Country Director Arif Jabbar Khan said: `Through our long-standing partnership, we are bringing positive changes in the lives of millions of people. The rural extension programme in Pakistan opens our support for several communities in need.`-Staf f Reporter