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Problem statement
Far Western Development Region of Nepal, where Achham is located, is far behind other regions of the country in all of the socio-economic development indicators. People in this region are fully dependent on agriculture. Because of low yield, inadequate crop land, poor technology and lack of other agricultural inputs, only about 10 percent of the population are able to meet their basic needs from their agricultural income. The remaining 90 percent of the population face a daily struggle for survival. Alternative opportunities to improve their situation are almost non-existent. There is also a wage gap between men and women, with the latter earning 20% less for the same work. At the same time, there are fewer work opportunities for women.
Issues related to drinking water and sanitation facilities
Water and sanitation services are very poor in Achham district. Because of the difficult terrain and scattered habitation, it has been difficult for development agencies to reach out with water and sanitation services at all. Only 45 percent of the Achhami population have access to improved drinking water. The remaining 55 percent depend on natural springs, rivers and deep wells. In many instances, water systems do not function properly, and there is contamination due to poor maintenance of open sources.
Only 15,3 percent of the people have access to toilet facility. The others practice open defecation, which causes infections, thus leading to malnutrition. There is very little awareness of proper hygiene and sanitation practices in Achham, and hand-washing is not common. The schools lack adequate toilet facilities. The lack of separate toilets for boys and girls in most of the schools has been discouraging female attendance. Because of these unhealthy practices, skin diseases, diarrhea, and worm infestations are severe problems, respectively ranking as 1st, 2nd and 3rd most prevalent health problems in 2006 according to the records of the District Health Office. During consultation, local communities strongly expressed the need for adequate water and sanitation facilities.
In WATSAN V, CARE implements water and sanitation activities in the identified areas of Achham district, which were not only affected by the conflict, but also by natural disasters. CARE supports improvement in water accessibility and sanitation practices through utilizing the existing local resources, behavior change on personal hygiene and sanitary practices at the community and household levels.
Principal Objective
To increase access to basic services of conflict affected households of Achham district in order to improve their livelihoods.
Specific Objective
To provide immediate, visible and positive impact on the lives of conflict affected and conflict vulnerable communities in remote hill districts of far-western region in Nepal through improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
Results - Increased access of people to basic services, particularly safe drinking water and sanitation.
- Increased capacity of communities on management of the community drinking water systems.
- Increased awareness of communities on water borne diseases and personal hygiene.
Key Activities - Support rehabilitation /construction of community drinking water systems.
- Support protection of water sources.
- Support construction of toilets/pit latrines at households, schools and health posts.
- Conduct construction management and system management training to water user groups.
- Conduct sanitation awareness campaigns
Beneficiaries
Total number of direct beneficiaries of this project will be 9,805.
The project aims to reach 1226 households (approximately 7,110 people). Out of these, 1,138 are children (boys and girls from the same households), who benefit from the school drinking water and sanitation program. An additional 2,695 children benefit from school drinking water and sanitation program not coming from the 1,226 households mentioned above. The total number of school children benefiting from drinking water and sanitation program in the school will be 3,833.
01.07.2008 - 30.06.2009
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