Latest news with #HANDS
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HANDS planning to build new apartments at newly purchased space
New life is being breathed into a blighted corner in downtown Erie that has historic significance. Housing and Neighborhood Development Service, known as HANDS, has purchased the property at 14th and Parade Streets from the Erie Land Bank. Meadville mobile home residents seek answers following quality decline The now rundown property was once owned by Erie's first female African American land owner, Emma Howell. The building that stands there now will be demolished and apartments named in Howell's honor will be built in its place. The four apartments being constructed are designated for persons with disabilities and homeless individuals. 'This really continues the work that we've done in this neighborhood for the last 30 years. And so we're happy to cross this side of Parade and continue our redevelopment work,' said Matthew Good, CEO of Housing And Neighborhood Development Service. Water bill increases leave North East mobile home residents squeezed Work on the apartments is in the design phase and will be supported by a $2,000 grant from Erie Bank presented to HANDS Wednesday. The project will be out to bid for general contractors next month and is expected to begin this summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Trump aid cut imperils water scheme in Jacobabad
In one of the world's hottest cities, fresh and filtered water can quench the searing onslaught of climate change - but US President Donald Trump's foreign aid freeze threatens its vital supply, an NGO says. Pakistan's sun-parched Jacobabad city in southern Sindh province sometimes surpasses 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in increasing heatwaves causing critical health problems like dehydration and heat-stroke. In 2012, USAID committed a $66 million grant to uplift Sindh's municipal services, including the flagship renovation of a plant pumping and purifying water from a canal 22 kilometres (14 miles) away. But Pakistani non-profit HANDS says Trump's aid embargo has blocked $1.5 million earmarked to make the scheme viable in the long-term, putting the project at risk "within a few months". "This has transformed our lives," 25-year-old Tufail Ahmed told AFP in Jacobabad, where wintertime temperatures are already forecast to pass 30C next week. "If the water supply is cut off it will be very difficult for us," he added. "Survival will be challenging, as water is the most essential thing for life." Between September and mid-January Sindh saw rainfall 52 percent below average according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, with "moderate drought" predicted in the coming months. Heatwaves are becoming hotter, longer and more frequent due to climate change, scientists say. The project pipes in 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million litres) daily and serves about 350,000 people in Jacobabad, HANDS says -- a city where grinding poverty is commonplace. HANDS said it discovered Trump's 90-day freeze on foreign assistance through media reports with no prior warning. "Since everything is just suspended we have to withdraw our staff and we have to withdraw all services for this water project," HANDS CEO Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed told AFP. Forty-seven staff, including experts who manage the water purification and service the infrastructure, have been sent home. The service will likely stop functioning "within the next few months", Ahmed predicted, and the project will be "a total failure" unless another funder steps in. The scheme is currently in the hands of the local government who lack the technical or revenue collection expertise HANDS was developing to fund the supply from bill payments, rather than donations. The international aid community has been in a tailspin over Trump's campaign to downsize or dismantle swathes of the US government - led by his top donor and the world's richest man Elon Musk. The most concentrated fire has been on Washington's aid agency USAID, whose $42.8 billion budget represents 42 percent of humanitarian aid disbursed worldwide. But it accounts for only between 0.7 and 1.4 percent of total US government spending in the last quarter century, according to the Pew Research Center. Trump has claimed USAID is "run by radical lunatics" while Musk has described it as a "criminal organisation" needing to be put "through the woodchipper". In Jacobabad, 47-year-old local social activist Abdul Ghani pleaded for its work to continue. "If the supply is cut off it will severely affect the public," he said. "Poverty is widespread here and we cannot afford alternatives." Residents complain the Jacobabad supply is patchy but still describe it as an invaluable service in a city where the alternative is buying water from private donkey-drawn tankers. Eighteen-year-old student Noor Ahmed said before "our women had to walk for hours" to collect water.
Gulf Today
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Today
Trump's aid cut threatens water scheme in sweltering Pakistani city of Jacobabad
In one of the world's hottest cities, fresh and filtered water can quench the searing onslaught of climate change — but US President Donald Trump's foreign aid freeze threatens its vital supply, an NGO says. Pakistan's sun-parched Jacobabad city in southern Sindh province sometimes surpasses 50˚C in increasing heatwaves causing critical health problems like dehydration and heat-stroke. In 2012, USAID committed a $66 million grant to uplift Sindh's municipal services, including the flagship renovation of a plant pumping and purifying water from a canal 22 kilometres away. But Pakistani non-profit HANDS says Trump's aid embargo has blocked $1.5 million earmarked to make the scheme viable in the long-term, putting the project at risk "within a few months." "This has transformed our lives," 25-year-old Tufail Ahmed told AFP in Jacobabad, where wintertime temperatures are already forecast to pass 30˚C next week. "If the water supply is cut off it will be very difficult for us," he added. "Survival will be challenging, as water is the most essential thing for life." Between September and mid-January Sindh saw rainfall 52 per cent below average according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, with "moderate drought" predicted in the coming months. Heatwaves are becoming hotter, longer and more frequent due to climate change, scientists say. Services withdrawn The project pipes in 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million litres) daily and serves about 350,000 people in Jacobabad, HANDS says — a city where grinding poverty is commonplace. HANDS said it discovered Trump's 90-day freeze on foreign assistance through media reports with no prior warning. "Since everything is just suspended we have to withdraw our staff and we have to withdraw all services for this water project," HANDS CEO Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed told AFP. Forty-seven staff, including experts who manage the water purification and service the infrastructure, have been sent home. The service will likely stop functioning "within the next few months", Ahmed predicted, and the project will be "a total failure" unless another funder steps in. The scheme is currently in the hands of the local government who lack the technical or revenue collection expertise HANDS was developing to fund the supply from bill payments, rather than donations. The international aid community has been in a tailspin over Trump's campaign to downsize or dismantle swathes of the US government — led by his top donor and the world's richest man Elon Musk. The most concentrated fire has been on Washington's aid agency USAID, whose $42.8 billion budget represents 42 per cent of humanitarian aid disbursed worldwide. But it accounts for only between 0.7 and 1.4 per cent of total US government spending in the last quarter century, according to the Pew Research Centre. Trump has claimed USAID is "run by radical lunatics" while Musk has described it as a "criminal organisation" needing to be put "through the woodchipper." In Jacobabad, 47-year-old local social activist Abdul Ghani pleaded for its work to continue. "If the supply is cut off it will severely affect the public," he said. "Poverty is widespread here and we cannot afford alternatives." 'Supply cannot be stopped' Residents complain the Jacobabad supply is patchy but still describe it as an invaluable service in a city where the alternative is buying water from private donkey-drawn tankers. Eighteen-year-old student Noor Ahmed said before "our women had to walk for hours" to collect water. HANDS says the private tankers have a monthly cost of up to 10 times more than their rate of Rs500 ($1.80) and often contain contaminants like arsenic. "The dirty water we used to buy was harmful to our health and falling ill would cost us even more," said 55-year-old Sadruddin Lashari. "This water is clean. The supply cannot be stopped," he added. Pakistan — home to more than 240 million people — ranks as the nation most affected by climate change, according to non-profit Germanwatch's Climate Risk Index released this year and analysing data from 2022. That year a third of the country was inundated by unprecedented monsoon floods killing more than 1,700 and causing an estimated $14.9 billion in damages after a punishing summer heatwave. Jacobabad's water system also suffered heavy damage in the 2010 floods which killed almost 1,800 and affected 21 million. Pakistan produces less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions which scientists say are driving human-made climate change. Islamabad has consistently called for countries which emit more to contribute to aid for its population suffering on the front line of climate change. "It's incredibly hot here year-round," said Lashari. "We need water constantly."
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Trump's aid cut threatens water scheme in sweltering Jacobabad
Listen to article In Jacobabad, one of Pakistan's hottest cities, rising temperatures and dwindling water supplies are pushing the community toward a crisis. Sun-scorched Jacobabad often exceeds 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) during intense heatwaves, leading to critical health issues such as dehydration and heatstroke. Jacobabad's municipal water system, funded in part by a $66 million USAID grant in 2012, provides essential clean water to around 350,000 residents. The project pumps 1.5 million gallons of purified water daily from a canal located 22 kilometers (14 miles) away, helping to alleviate the pressures of severe water scarcity. However, the freeze on US foreign aid, which includes $1.5 million designated for the project's continued operation, now threatens the entire infrastructure, leaving the community vulnerable. HANDS, the Pakistani non-profit overseeing the project, warned that without this critical funding, the water system could shut down within months. 'Since everything is just suspended, we have to withdraw our staff, and the project will likely cease functioning,' said HANDS CEO Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed. The freeze has left the local government in charge, but with little capacity or expertise to manage such an intricate system. Jacobabad's vulnerability to climate change is becoming more severe. Recent weather reports show that rainfall in Sindh province is down 52%, and the city faces a moderate drought in the coming months. For residents like Tufail Ahmed, access to clean water is not just important; it's essential for survival. 'If the water supply is cut off, survival will be challenging,' said Ahmed. 'Water is the most essential thing for life.' The freeze on US aid comes at a time when Jacobabad, like much of Pakistan, is increasingly affected by climate change. Pakistan, which contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the nations most impacted by rising temperatures and extreme weather events. With heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense, Jacobabad's reliance on water supply systems funded by international aid has never been more critical. Before the city's municipal system, many residents had to rely on private donkey-drawn tankers, which charge up to 10 times more than the local water service. These tankers often deliver water contaminated with harmful substances like arsenic. As 18-year-old student Noor Ahmed recalls, 'Before, our women had to walk for hours to collect water. Now, we have a reliable supply.' However, with the potential end of the water supply looming, Abdul Ghani, a local activist, warned that cutting off the project's funding would have dire consequences. 'If the supply is cut off, it will severely affect the public. We cannot afford alternatives,' he said. This crisis highlights the broader impacts of US foreign policy decisions on global climate adaptation efforts. The aid freeze underscores the fragility of global partnerships, particularly for countries on the frontlines of climate change, like Pakistan. Without continued support, communities in Jacobabad and similar cities may be left to face the devastating effects of climate change without the necessary resources to cope. 'This water supply cannot be stopped,' said Sadruddin Lashari, a 55-year-old local resident. 'Without it, we will struggle to survive the heat.' As Jacobabad fights to maintain its water supply, the urgent need for continued international support is clear. The situation serves as a stark reminder that climate change requires global cooperation, and foreign aid is critical for helping vulnerable communities like Jacobabad adapt and survive.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Trump aid cut imperils water scheme in Pakistan's hottest city
In Pakistan's hottest city, fresh and filtered water can quench the searing onslaught of climate change -- but US President Donald Trump's foreign aid freeze threatens its vital supply, an NGO says. Sun-parched Jacobabad city in southern Sindh province sometimes surpasses 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in increasing heatwaves causing critical health problems like dehydration and heat-stroke. In 2012, USAID committed a $66 million grant to uplift Sindh's municipal services, including the flagship renovation of a plant pumping and purifying water from a canal 22 kilometres (14 miles) away. But Pakistani non-profit HANDS says Trump's aid embargo has blocked $1.5 million earmarked to make the scheme viable in the long-term, putting the project at risk "within a few months". "This has transformed our lives," 25-year-old Tufail Ahmed told AFP in Jacobabad, where wintertime temperatures are already forecast to pass 30C next week. "If the water supply is cut off it will be very difficult for us," he added. "Survival will be challenging, as water is the most essential thing for life." Between September and mid-January Sindh saw rainfall 52 percent below average according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, with "moderate drought" predicted in the coming months. Heatwaves are becoming hotter, longer and more frequent due to climate change, scientists say. - Services withdrawn - The project pipes in 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million litres) daily and serves about 350,000 people in Jacobabad, HANDS says -- a city where grinding poverty is commonplace. HANDS said it discovered Trump's 90-day freeze on foreign assistance through media reports with no prior warning. "Since everything is just suspended we have to withdraw our staff and we have to withdraw all services for this water project," HANDS CEO Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed told AFP. Forty-seven staff, including experts who manage the water purification and service the infrastructure, have been sent home. The service will likely stop functioning "within the next few months", Ahmed predicted, and the project will be "a total failure" unless another funder steps in. The scheme is currently in the hands of the local government who lack the technical or revenue collection expertise HANDS was developing to fund the supply from bill payments, rather than donations. The international aid community has been in a tailspin over Trump's campaign to downsize or dismantle swathes of the US government -- led by his top donor and the world's richest man Elon Musk. The most concentrated fire has been on Washington's aid agency USAID, whose $42.8 billion budget represents 42 percent of humanitarian aid disbursed worldwide. But it accounts for only between 0.7 and 1.4 percent of total US government spending in the last quarter century, according to the Pew Research Center. Trump has claimed USAID is "run by radical lunatics" while Musk has described it as a "criminal organisation" needing to be put "through the woodchipper". In Jacobabad, 47-year-old local social activist Abdul Ghani pleaded for its work to continue. "If the supply is cut off it will severely affect the public," he said. "Poverty is widespread here and we cannot afford alternatives." - 'Supply cannot be stopped' - Residents complain the Jacobabad supply is patchy but still describe it as an invaluable service in a city where the alternative is buying water from private donkey-drawn tankers. Eighteen-year-old student Noor Ahmed said before "our women had to walk for hours" to collect water. HANDS says the private tankers have a monthly cost of up to 10 times more than their rate of 500 rupees ($1.80) and often contain contaminants like arsenic. "The dirty water we used to buy was harmful to our health and falling ill would cost us even more," said 55-year-old Sadruddin Lashari. "This water is clean. The supply cannot be stopped," he added. Pakistan -- home to more than 240 million people -- ranks as the nation most affected by climate change, according to non-profit Germanwatch's Climate Risk Index released this year and analysing data from 2022. That year a third of the country was inundated by unprecedented monsoon floods killing more than 1,700 and causing an estimated $14.9 billion in damages after a punishing summer heatwave. Jacobabad's water system also suffered heavy damage in the 2010 floods which killed almost 1,800 and affected 21 million. Pakistan produces less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions which scientists say are driving human-made climate change. Islamabad has consistently called for countries which emit more to contribute to aid for its population suffering on the front line of climate change. "It's incredibly hot here year-round," said Lashari. "We need water constantly." str-jts/ecl/sn/sco
