Since the inception of Mission East WASH activities in Nepal in 2008, access to clean water and better hygiene practices has significantly improved.
This is the conclusion of a fresh review which also includes lessons learned.
The reduction in time for fetching water has reduced the work load of women, enabling them to provide better care for their children. Additionally, the improvement in hygiene behaviours and availability of safe drinking water reduced the prevalence of water borne diseases which was the case before the implementation of the project.
Implementation of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Programmes (WASH) in a mountainous region like Karnali is quite challenging in terms of remoteness, lack of communication, tough working conditions, the large geographical area to cover, difficulties in transportation, illiterate communities and low level of awareness. Mission East has responded to the needs of the community by working on access to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation promotion.
KIRDARC, the local implementing partner made it possible to enhance access to water, hygiene and sanitation promotion by utilizing its organizational capacity and experience including knowledge on socio-economic profiles of the communities.
Safe drinking water to 19,250
Mission East has implemented WASH activities among 18 Village Development Committees (VDCs) which addressed the need for drinking water of 3,049 vulnerable households covering a population of 19,250. Similarly, students of 23 local schools and 3 health posts now have access to water and sanitation facilities. Besides, an additional 22,855 people benefited through awareness, knowledge on hygiene and health in the Humla district.
Click here for a review of Mission East’s WASH action with KIRDARC in Karnali and lessons learnt 2008-2011
