Poor sanitation leads to about 700,000 child deaths every year, mainly due to diarrhoea. Chronic diarrhoea can have long-term negative effects on children, in terms of both physical and cognitive development. In addition, lack of WASH facilities can prevent students from attending school, impose an unusual burden on women and reduce work productivity.
Despite being one of the richest countries in water resources, a majority of people in Nepal lack access to clean drinking water. Many rural communities often live far from water sources and have to travel a long distance to fetch potable water. Similarly, in urban areas, the growing population has increased strain on limited water supplies. Clearly, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is essential for sustainable development and for overall progress of a country.
