CELEBRATING HANDWASHING WITH SOAP
On 15 October we celebrate Global Day for Handwashing with Soap – an act so simple yet so effective. It is said that promotion of handwashing with soap, which can reduce diarrohea by 45% and acute respiratory infections by one-quarter, is the most cost effective health intervention possible. The challenge is to transform handwashing with soap from a good idea into an automatic behavior performed in homes, schools, and communities worldwide. Turning handwashing with soap before eating and after using the toilet into an ingrained habit could save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention, and is critical to meeting the Millennium Development Goal of reducing deaths among children under the age of five by two-thirds by 2015. So what are we waiting for? Your health is in your hands
Today, when science and technology has made such huge inventions, in Nepal, we still hear about people dying because of an easily addressable disease like diarrhea. It’s a pity and a shame that we still are not able to fight back water borne disease which can be easily prevented with some simple precautionary measures and a little effort.
This was once again highlighted by the recent epidemic in mid and far western Nepal which claimed the lives of more than 350 deaths in a span of three months, It is clear that the the epidemic did not receive adequate efforts of local health organizations and the inability of the local people to respond to the disease worsened the situation. The number of deaths in such short period indicates the ignorance and negligence in the people about the disease, its cause and its consequences. People are unaware about the importance of safe drinking water, proper hygiene and sanitation practices but, more unfortunate is that even people, aware of the contamination in the water they consume, are unable to treat it. The affected people were drinking the water directly from the river and most of them, without any treatment. People there seem to lack knowledge on proper sanitation and toilets were a rare view in the villages. Basic hygiene practices as hand-washing with soap or cutting the nails or covering the water and food was also found uncommon.
Government with all its powers and authority is coming up with solutions like sending medicine and other curative measures which in my opinion is very short term and will not be helpful in the long run. In this situation, government should act responsibly and take preventive measures so as to avoid this kind of episode in the future.
To an epidemic like this, the answer could be, giving awareness about sustainable sanitation, promoting household water treatment like boiling, chlorination, filtration and solar disinfection (SODIS), water source protection and maintaining proper hygiene and many more steps towards improving the quality of life. Whatever be the effort, we should always plan its sustainability. For that, local people participation is crucial and it is them who can bring about the real changes, in their lives, in their society and in their nation. So, government and all other organization should work towards enrooting a culture of maintaining a safe environment in the villages through the villagers.
But, as they say “Rome was not built in a day”, we should realize that such change will definitely take some time. It’s the high time that we start off now since we hold the keys to our future.Kanchan Karki, ENPHO
:: ENPHO NEWS ::
FIELD VISIT BY COKE MISSION
A team from the Coca-Cola Company (TCC) visited three Safe Water Zones; of the Lalitpur Municipality (Lonhla, Chusika and Chochen) on 14 September to assess the progress made by the “Partnership for Safe Water” a joint initiative between TCC, UN-HABITAT, ENPHO, Government of Nepal, local municipalities and community groups. The mission, together UN-HABITAT, ENPHO, Lalitpur Municipality and Urban Environment Management Society (UEMS), also participated in an interaction programme.
NEW TV COMMERCIAL ON PIYUSH
In order to promote the brand PIYUSH and household water treatment, ENPHO has produced a TV commercial (TVC) and aired it through national TV channels such as Kantipur, Avenues and Nepal TV for one month. The commercial has Jharna Thapa, a popular Nepalese actress and sanitation ambassador in Nepal. A gathering was organized at ENPHO hall on 2nd September to inaugurate the TVC and to get feedback from the audience.
SLTS CAMPAIGN GOES WEST
A series of training on School Led Total Sanitation (SLTS) was organized in Butwal, Tikapur and Gularia municipalities. Presidents of school management committees, Parent Teacher Association members, headmasters, and teachers from 24 schools, 8 from each location, participated in the training. The participants also formulated plans and expressed their commitments to declare their catchment areas as open defecation free (ODF) communities. This was followed by community orientation, documentary shows and school children orientation in the schools and catchment clusters of these schools.
TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY IN GUNDU
On September 5, a one-day orientation on School Sanitation and Hygiene Education (SSHE) program was organized for 37 representatives from 3 different schools in Gundu. Similarly a training on Community Water and Resources Management (CWRM) was conducted at ENPHO hall to 10 members of the Kibachowk drinking water users committee on September 15.
MONITORING WAPIC IN DANG
The third phase of monitoring of WAPIC (Water Pasteurization through Improved Cookstoves) units installed in Dang district was conducted between September 11 and 16. The monitoring included testing of microbial removal efficiency and administration of social acceptance questionnaires. Of the 11 WAPIC units monitored, 6 were functioning well, two had some mechanical problems and three units were not being used as the users did not want to drink hot water in the summer season. A workshop was organized at Rampur, Dang to disseminate information about WAPIC to general public and stove promoters.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PRAJWAL & LERICA
ENPHO’s Program Manager Prajwal Shrestha and Project Officer Lerica Gorkhaly tied the knot on September 23, 2009 and all of ENPHO enjoyed the party on September 22 & 24. CONGRATULATIONS to the newly-weds.
PARTICIPATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
NEW FACES AT ENPHO
- Ms. Biju Dangol (Programme Officer) & Ms. Punu Duwal (Assistant Project Officer) participated in the Workshop for “Enhancing Awareness of Gender Mainstreaming in Water and Sanitation” organized by Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, UN-Habitat and Gender Water Alliance from September 9 to 11 in Kathmandu.
- Ms. Biju Dangol, Programme Officer attended the “International Research Colloquium of the Network to Promote Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS)” from 21 to 23 September, 2009 in Dublin, Ireland. She made a presentation on “Partnership for Safe Water”- initiative for promotion of Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) in Nepal and presented poster on “Water Pasteurization through Improved Cook Stoves for Safe Water, clean Indoor air and rapid scale up of Household Water Treatment”.
- Mr. Binod Kumar Maharjan has joined ENPHO as the Finance and Administration Manager. Mr. Maharjan has a Masters Degree in Business Administration and more than 10 years of progressive experience in Administration and Finance.
- Ms. Pramina Nakarmi and Mr. Rabin Shrestha have joined ENPHO as Research Assistant under R & D and Resource Center Unit respectively. Ms. Nakarmi has M.SC in Environmental Management and Mr. Shrestha has B.Sc. (Hons.) in Environmental Science.
:: LOCAL NEWS ::
KATHMANDU PREPARES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN WASTE MANGEMENT
The high level Garbage Management Committee is all set to call Expression of interest (EoI) from private firms interested in garbage disposal service. “Right after Dashain, we will call EoI for setting up garbage fuelled plant in Kathmandu valley,” said National Planning Commission member Dr. Dinesh Chandra Devkota, who is also the coordinator of the committee that was formed some three weeks ago to solve the Kathmandu’s garbage problem through scientific system of waste disposal with the involvement of private sector. “We’ve also appointed two experts to develop ToR to deal with the private sector” he said. Dr Rajendra Adhikari and Badan Lal Nyachha are hired for a three month term, according to Dr Sumitra Amatya, general manager, Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Center.
Source: The Himalayan Times, 22 SeptHOUSEHOLD CENTERED SANITATION PROGRAMME IN NALA
Household centered sanitation programme was launched in Nala VDC of Kavre district by Constitution Assembly member Krishna Prasad Sapkota on September 7, 2009. Addressing the launching programme, Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, Chief Technical Advisor of UN HABITAT South Asian Region, suggested the locals to give top priority to planning phase while preparing the sanitation plan. “Local people will be involved from planning to implementation phase,” said Padma Sundar Joshi, Executive Director of Center for Integrated Urban Development.
Source: ngoforum ,Rajdhani, Nepal Samacharpatra, 9 SeptMORE THAN 18 VDCS WITHOUT TOILET IN SIRAHA
Many NGOs and INGOs are active in constructing infrastructure in the remote areas but in Siraha more than 18 Village Development Committees are without a toilet until now. Due to the poverty and illiteracy, the people defecate in open places like as fields, river banks and other open places. Therefore different types of diseases have spread in these villages. While collecting data on arsenic contamination and toilets, District Drinking Water and Sanitation Division Office Lahan found that more than three dozen VDCs in Siraha have less than 10 toilets. According to the data of the Division Office, Taregana, Gobindapur, Bisnurkatti, Kachanari, Khurukhyhi, Mahesh Pradha, Maubahi, Muksar, Ayoddanagar, Jamdaha, Aasopur Balkawa, Bacharba, Chandra Udayapur, Naraha Balkawa, Itari, Prasahi, Anarma Prar, Chatari and Kanjarha VDCs have not a single toilet.
Source: The Rising Nepal, 6 SeptYOUTHS VOW TO LESSEN CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT
More than 100 youths from eight different countries of South Asia vowed to jointly combat against the impact of climate change in the region and signed the Kathmandu Declaration at the end of the South Asian Youth Summit on Climate Change.
“We believe in effective participation and negotiation by all countries, especially those most vulnerable at global level, towards concrete solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” said Manjeet Dhakal, coordinator of the summit.
The participating youths strongly demanded to decrease the amount of Carbon dioxide (CO2) below 350 ppm (parts per million). Presently, the concentration of the CO2 in the atmosphere is 387 ppm. “We urge the developed countries to commit for emission cut of 45 per cent by 2020 and 90 percent by 2050 with the base year 1990,” said Vositha Wijinayake of Sri Lanka.
The youths demanded to establish a South Asian regional centre with the full financial assistance by the developed countries for carrying out scientific research that would spread information about the climate change and help create awareness on its effects.
Source: The Himalayan Times, September 7, 2009DIARRHOEA AFFECTED PEOPLE FAIL TO GET RELIEF
Several diarrhoea and cholera affected people and families of those who died of epidemic of the mid-western district of Jajarkot has failed to get any relief from the government as VDC secretaries of the district have not paid any attention in providing them with necessary documents and certificates.
Many victims in Jajarkot have to walk even for several days to reach the District Headquarter to get the government relief. But at the District Headquarter they often fail to find secretaries of their respective VDC. Ram Bahadur Thapa of Pek-6 said that he reached Khalanga after walking for three days but could not find the secretary even after waiting there for seven days. Thapa’s wife and daughter both died by epidemic this August. Due to absence of secretaries at the district headquarters, the victims and relatives are finding it very difficult in making certificates that prove them of epidemic victims. At present they are unable to get death certificates, relationship certificates and other documents which will help them get the government relief. According to Chief District Officer, Khyam B. Thapa, only around 40 per cent relatives of epidemic victims had been able to get relief.
Source: The Rising Nepal, 6 SeptIMPROVED KITCHENS TO DRAW RS 50M A YEAR THROUGH CDM
Centre for Rural Technology Nepal has said the country can earn Rs 50 million annually by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through improved kitchens. The center has developed a project for registration in Clean Development Mechanism for carbon trade by constructing over 35,000 improved kitchens in Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Dhanusha and Mahottari in three years. The center has already developed a project concept note and is currently developing project design document. Deputy Manager of the center Subarna Kapali said improved kitchens are eligible for carbon trade under CDM as they reduce firewood consumption and contribute to forest conservation. He said an improved kitchen can reduce CO2 emission by one ton per year and carbon saved will be traded at $7 per ton. Ministry of Environment has granted permission to the center to go ahead with the registration for carbon trade under CDM. The project aims at reducing carbon emission by 2,670 tons in 2009; 20,231 tons in 2010; 33,551 tons in 2011; and 32,353 tons in 2012 as improved kitchens emit 20-30 percent less CO2 as compared with traditional kitchens. The center has also developed a project to build 1,500 kitchens in Chitwan. Over 85 percent people in Nepal still use one or the other form of biological fuel. It is estimated that about 7,500 people lose life in Nepal annually due to diseases related to kitchen smoke. And it costs the national economy Rs 10 billion.
Source: myrepublica, 10 Sept
:: GLOBAL NEWS ::
IYS ONE YEAR LATER
As a follow-up to the 2008 International Year of Sanitation (IYS) there are plans for a virtual scrapbook of IYS activities and a review of sanitation advocacy campaigns commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The IYS logo has been updated with a bar of soap and the timeless slogan, “Sanitation for All”. These are some of the activities that Clarissa Brocklehurst, Chief of Water and Environmental Sanitation at UNICEF and coordinator of UN-Water’s Task Force on Sanitation, mentioned in an interview with UN-Water. During the IYS, the Task Force assumed a leadership role in global advocacy and capacity building. Several countries have developed specific sanitation policies, as a result of the IYS campaign events, Ms. Brockelhurst said. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) is preparing the Secretary-General’s Report on the IYS. “In some countries the campaign succeeded in leveraging more funds for sanitation. For example, in Nepal, the Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads decided to allocate 20 percent budget of its water supply project for sanitation and the national government has allocated US $660,000 for a stand-alone sanitation programme. In Nigeria, budget allocations in some states and at national level have increased for sanitation and hygiene and the fact that the National Council on Water Resources has made 2009 the National Year of Sanitation, clearly show a commitment to improving sanitation nationwide.
Source: sanitationupdates.wordpress.com, 20 SeptBRAZIL: WORLD CUP CITIES NEED US$3.4BN TO PROVIDE 100% SANITATION COVERAGE
A total of 6.7bn reais (US$3.4bn) is needed to provide 100% sanitation coverage in the 12 Brazilian cities selected to host matches during the 2014 World Cup, according to a study requested by NGO Instituto Trata Brasil (ITB). The study showed the cities of Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais), São Paulo, Salvador (Bahia) and Rio de Janeiro have the highest number of people with sewage collection services with 97.1%, 88.5%, 87.8% and 83.7% respectively. Brasília has 80.2% coverage, Curitiba (Paraná) 79.4% and Fortaleza (Ceará) 54.6%, an ITB release said.Collection rates below 50% were reported in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), Recife (Pernambuco) and Cuiabá (Mato Grosso) with 49.3%, 47.1% and 41.2% respectively. Manaus (Amazonas) and Natal (Rio Grande do Norte) came in with the lowest coverage of 35.0% and 21.3%.The study was carried out by economic think tank Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV).
Source: sanitationupdates.wordpress.com, 2 SeptLAGOS STATE GOVT APPROVES 100 SOLAR-POWERED TOILETS
In Nigeria, Lagos State Government unveiled one solar-powered toilet project recently constructed for the use of its residents living in Lekki. The government also approved more than 100 of the same projects for rural communities across the state. Speaking during an inspection tour, Commissioner for Rural Development, Prince Lanre Balogun, explained that the state government chose the projects because most people in Lagos communities “are defecating the environment because they do not have toilets.” He added that the lack of toilet facilities in different Lagos communities informed the state government’s decision to build the communal toilet powered by solar energy to serve the community.
Source: www.sanitationupdates.com, 11 SeptJAPAN VOWS BIG CLIMATE CHANGE CUT
Japan's next leader has promised a big cut in greenhouse gas emissions, saying he will aim for a 25% reduction by 2020 compared with 1990 levels.
Democratic Party leader Yukio Hatoyama is due to take over as prime minister on 16 September, after a resounding election victory in August. His predecessor, Taro Aso, had pledged cuts of only 8%. Mr Hatoyama said the plan was dependent on other nations agreeing targets at December's climate talks in Copenhagen. Analysts say the targets - announced by Mr Hatoyama at a climate change symposium in Tokyo on Monday - are more ambitious than those of many other industrialised nations. They won praise from the climate change chief of the UN, which is recommending developed countries commit to a 25-40% reduction by 2020. Japan is the world's second-largest economy and fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, which are a major contributor to climate change.
Correspondents say some Japanese business groups, including parts of the automotive industry, are expected to lobby against the plans. The head of business lobby Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) told the climate symposium the new government needed to spell out the policies in more detail. "We basically welcome [the target], but we want to ask what policies and steps will be taken to achieve this 25% target," Masamitsu Sakurai told the forum, according to Reuters news agency. Japan's new government envisages the plans will be achieved by bringing in emissions trading, renovating housing, subsidising solar panels and introducing low-energy technologies in cars. Without mentioning China or India by name, Mr Hatoyama said: "We think developing countries are also required to make an effort to reduce greenhouse gases, as a global effort is needed on the issue of climate change," reports AFP news agency.
December's UN-backed climate talks in Copenhagen in Denmark will try to work out a deal on reducing emissions to succeed the current Kyoto Protocol, the first phase of which ends in 2012. Japan has been under pressure to introduce tougher policies on climate change after its emissions rose last year to 16% above the Kyoto target, which it played a leading role in agreeing in 1997.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/science, 7th SeptIRAQ’S NEW WAR IS A FIGHT FOR WATER
Dam projects by neighboring states are drastically reducing the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates and helping to turn a once-fertile plain into desert. As bombs continue to tear apart its towns and villages, Iraq is now in the grip of an environmental crisis that experts and officials warn may do what decades of war have not been able to — destroy the country. The previously lush plains south of Baghdad are widely held to be the cradle of civilization, the birthplace of some of humanity’s greatest achievements and earliest empires. Today, however, those same rivers are increasingly starved of water. The floodplains on either side of the Euphrates and Tigris, Iraq’s old fertile agricultural heartlands are parched. In northern Iraq, underground supplies of water have been so depleted they may never recover.
Source: enn.com, 4 SeptTOMATOES THRIVE ON URINE DIET
Using human urine as a fertiliser produces bumper crops of tomatoes that are safe to eat, scientists have found. Their research was published in August 2009 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Surendra Pradhan, an environmental biology researcher at the University of Kuopio, Finland, and colleagues gave potted tomato plants one of three treatments: mineral fertiliser, urine and wood ash, urine only, and no fertiliser. Urine is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Yields for plants fertilised with urine quadrupled and matched those of mineral-fertilised plants. The urine-fertilised tomatoes also contained more protein and were safe for human consumption. Pradhan says that the method is a free alternative to expensive mineral fertiliser, which is also not easily available in remote or hilly areas. Pradhan also believes that the idea could improve sanitation by incentivising toilet-building. A pilot programme based on the research will be launched in Nepal in November 2009, says Pradhan.
But Håkan Jönsson, eco-agriculture and sanitation system technology expert at the Stockholm Environment Institute in Sweden, told SciDev.Net: “The amount [of urine] that can be collected from a person or a family is fairly small (equivalent to about two bags of fertiliser per year for a west African family). [The technique] is of great value to a subsistence farmer but does not suffice for even a medium-scale cash-crop farm.” He adds that to fertilise larger areas, many urine-diverting toilets would have to be linked up to a good transportation system. There are also cultural issues. In most cultures, Jönsson says, faeces are considered impure and urine is viewed in a similar way, even though the hygiene risk associated with it is minimal. Pradhan says that studies will be done to assess how acceptable the idea is in different cultures. His team will also investigate ways of decontaminating any faecal matter in urine collected from a toilet using a jerry can. He adds: “For large-scale implementation of this idea, we are trying to find different methods to reduce the volume of the urine in economic way, without losing the nutrients”.
Source: sanitationupdates.wordpress.com, 15 Sept
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