It is also by far the most challenging place in Pakistan to eradicate polio.
Difficulties include the large and frequent movement of people, poor water and sanitation conditions, and pockets of community resistance to vaccination.
In the northwestern part of the city lies Orangi Town.
The fifth largest slum in the world today, it is a tough place to live for the children who run around and play games in the streets outside their homes.
At many points, human waste mixes with drinking water lines.
The quality of potable water is low and filled with pathogens including bacteria and viruses, and it is the main cause of many water-borne illnesses in adults and children, including hepatitis A, acute watery diarrhea and typhoid.
Speaking on 8 May at the opening of the plant, Mr Aziz Memon, Chairman of Pakistan’s National Rotary PolioPlus Committee said: “This is the 15th water filtration plant installed in Pakistan, and the sixth in Karachi, and we will do all that we can with our partners to help raise the community’s standard of living including health.” Dr Shafiq, a representative of Orangi Town, thanked Rotary International for its continuous support of polio eradication in the area.
Combined with vaccination activities, children drinking the clean water provided by the new plant will now have an improved chance to grow up polio-free.
National Chair Aziz Memon said: “Orangi Town is one of the most underprivileged urban slums in Karachi and the supply of safe drinking water will improve health issues of the community and save children from water borne diseases.” He added that “Rotary is making intensified efforts in this impoverished area and has established a Resource Center in Bijli Nagar Orangi Town.” These extra steps towards ensuring that children are safe from disease also help to gain community trust, and form part of Rotary’s work to raise awareness of polio, and overcome vaccine hesitancy.
In 2016, Rotary International contributed over US$ 106 million to polio eradication worldwide, and in Pakistan, Rotarians are at the forefront of the fight against the virus.