Preparation of Gaunpalika Level Strategic WASH Plan

Government of Nepal has set goals to provide basic level of water supply and sanitation services to all by 2017, and improve the basic level of water supply and sanitation services to all by 2027. Nepal being member country of UN is also committed to global initiatives including SDGs. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a distinct sector Goal (SDG 6). Overall aim of SDG 6 is to ensure universal and equitable access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.
Following the Gorkha earthquake in 2015 Action Against Hunger (ACF) has broadened and scaled up its interventions in multi-sectors including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). S.W. Nepal understands that ACF has not only reinstated the damaged WASH facilities but also aims to strengthen the capacity of local organizations and government in WASH) sector.

S.W. Nepal was assigned to develop strategic and sustainable WASH plan to plan effective, equitable, efficient, and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services at local level.

SW Nepal carried out the following activities to meet the study’s objectives.

• Identification of existing water supply schemes
• Establishment of WASH baseline
• Promotion of right based approach, equity and inclusiveness in WASH sector
• Link with the district, federal and national level plans and strategies

Following are the outputs S.W. Nepal delivered:

• Developed strategic WASH plan for two Gaunpalikas (Aamachhodingmo and Uttargaya) that covered following areas:
  o Identification of existing and potential water supply schemes
  o Status of WASH at households and institutional level
  o Strategic action plan on WASH at household and institutional level
• Multistakeholder workshop in Gaunpalikas to endorse and validate Strategic WASH plan

Keywords: WASH, SDG 6, Water Supply, Health, Strategic Plan, Policy