CSO Consultation on Status of Sanitation and Strategic Steps

Sanitation is still a neglected sector despite of the fact that more than half the population of Nepal (i.e. 14.2 million people) is deprived from access to safe sanitation services. Annually across Nepal 10,500 children below the age of five loose their lives because of diarrhoea, which is mainly caused due to lack of sanitation and safe drinking water. The recent cholera outbreak in Western districts of Nepal killed more than 305 people and adversely affected more than 46,000 people.

SACOSAN III declaration has been a remarkable achievement for sanitation campaigners, wherein the right for sanitation and water has been recognized as a basic right. It has also provided more momentum to gain increased political commitment to ensure sanitation and water as a constitutional right.

There has been establishment of consolidated campaigning approach incorporating three campaigns and networks namely End Water Poverty Campaign in Nepal, Freshwater Action Network in Nepal and WASH Nepal in order to ensure synergized efforts in ensuring sanitation and water for all. The consolidated campaign on Sanitation and Water for all organized the civil society consultation on Sanitation Status and Strategic Steps on October 30, 2009 at World Trade Center. The consultation was participated by nearly 50 participants including WASH civil society agencies, media stakeholders and some development activists.

Mr. Umesh Pandey, WASH Nepal Coordinator welcomed all the participants on behalf of the organizing campaigns. He expressed need of synergy and consolidated approach in creating larger positive impact on sanitation. Mr. Rajendra Aryal, Chairperson, FEDWASUN presented on the sanitation status in Nepal where 1,50,12,000 people are still openly defecating. Mr. Rabin Lal Shrestha, Research and Advocacy Manager, WAN shared on positioning of Nepal on Sanitation Chase Matrix developed in order to analyze achievements and challenges in the sanitation sector. Mr. Prakash Amatya, Executive Director, NGOFUWS facilitated the session on strategic steps based on four themes of ensuring constitutional right, Sanitation as national priority; One plan, one coordination and one monitoring & Mainstreaming sanitation across sectors.

Ms. Lajana Manandhar, FAN Nepal, National Convener thanked for active participation of all the participants that had helped in developing common understanding. Ms. Shikha Shrestha, End Water Poverty Campaign Nepal, Coordinator appreciated valuable strategic directions provided by the participation to enroll the path of ensuring sanitation to all. She thanked all the campaign members as well as the individuals who directly and indirectly supported in organizing the consultation process.