SLH signs Memorandum of Understanding with Islamic Relief, Pakistan

The Sanitation Learning Hub is delighted to announce that we have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Islamic Relief, Pakistan.

Islamic Relief, Pakistan share our commitment towards everyone having the right to safely managed sanitation and hygiene and ensuring no one is left behind in the drive to end open defecation for good.

The MoU establishes the institutional connection between the two organisations after conversations around how we could work together.

Our current plans for collaboration include:

• Islamic Relief, Pakistan’s involvement in our ongoing work around strengthening sub-national systems. We will learn from concrete examples of sub-national government leadership in sanitation and identify recommendations for the wider sector.
• Collaborative research on the 2022 floods in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and how sanitation and hygiene practices have been affected in the short- and long-term. This may include identifying ways to build long-term coping mechanisms and sustained coverage at the local level and with local government. (January and February 2023 – we currently have a call for applications for this work.)
• Islamic Relief, Pakistan’s contribution towards our planned evidence-based practical guidance document for sanitation and hygiene in particularly challenging contexts. Rural and urban challenging contexts include areas with high levels of poverty and marginalisation, entrenched attitudes and beliefs, tough physical environments, areas where lifestyles/livelihoods make sanitation challenging, and fragile contexts.

Jamie Myers, Research and Learning Manager for the Sanitation Learning Hub, commented:

“We are excited to embark on this new partnership with Islamic Relief Pakistan. Our recently signed MoU focuses on some of the most pressing issues facing the sanitation sector in Pakistan, including strengthening local government leadership, programming in challenging contexts and responding to the impact of climate shocks such as the devastating monsoon floods last year that are still impacting millions across the country. Together we aim to undertake joint learning research and learning activities that can identify practical solutions that can help Pakistan and other countries to overcome these barriers in their pursuit towards universal access to safely managed sanitation by 2030.”

Mr. Asif Ali Sherazi, Country Director for Islamic Relief, Pakistan commented:

“Basic level of hygiene and sanitation is a fundamental right of every citizen. The recent disaster calls for urgent action as we saw millions displaced without shelter and sanitation services. Pressing issues like poor sanitation and the absence of clean water have exacerbated the spread of diseases during the floods. This partnership with Sanitation Learning Hub at the Institute of Development Studies, UK, will prove beneficial in raising these societal issues among the policy makers and will aide in researching solutions for these sanitation related issues. Looking forward to working with SLH to provide safely managed sanitation to every individual in the country.”