Understanding Status quo of WASH Facilities in Quarantine of Terai

Prepared by: Amrit Bista, Member, PP Batch III

Quarantine refers to the separation and restriction of movement and activities of people who are not ill but are believed to have been exposed to infections for the purpose of preventing disease transmission. Quarantines are the important measures for the control of reservoir. Government of Nepal has also made provision of quarantine for migrants who came from COVID-19 affected countries and other suspected people during the case investigation and contact tracing. In this regard, Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO organized 8^th WASH FORUM Reloaded (WFR) on “WASH facilities in Quarantine of Terai” on 24 July, 2020 on Zoom meeting platform to understand status of quo of WASH facilities in quarantine in Terai (Province 2), details on minimum service standards required for a proper WASH facilities in quarantine and required improvement of WASH facilities and possible challenges.

Mr. Niraj Giri, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer for WASH at Welthungerhilfe was resource person for the program. During the program, information and data on minimum WASH requirements in COVID-19 quarantine and isolation centers, current status of WASH in quarantine of Terai, key indicators of proper WASH, and improvement required for the current WASH status were shared highlighting on the standard of water, sanitation, hygiene and environmental cleanliness. In compliance with data, Mr. Giri shared that though quarantine centers in Terai has sufficient facilities of WASH in regard to quantity but requires improvement in quality, its proper management and awareness among users as quarantine centers lacks proper waste segregation and use of water treatment options among other WASH behaviors.

As mentioned by Mr. Giri, developing checklists for WASH facilities and behavior for monitoring and effective implementation will help in improving the WASH status of quarantine centers. Despite the present services and status of WASH in the quarantine centers, he insisted to draw focus on flood resilient quarantine center as monsoon has arrived.

With an active participation of more than 25 participants from different educational and professional background, the 8^th WFR was organized, sharing information and addressing queries of participants. Ms. Sushama Sharma, Member, PP Batch III facilitated the overall program and Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator closed the session with vote of thanks to the resource person and all the participants.

Reflecting COVID-19’s Impacts on Environmental Health

Prepared by: Ms. Sushama Sharma, Member, PP Batch III

On 26th June 2020, Paschim Paaila in collaboration with Environment and public Health Organization (ENPHO) organized sharing and discussion program on "COVID-19 and Environmental Health” through zoom platform. The main objective of sharing and discussion program was to share the impacts of COVID-19 observed in the environment and human health as a whole, as well as to sensitize and motivate youths on the intervention of faeco-oral and other WASH related communicable diseases.

Mr. Ravindra Pandeya, Director, The Green Move Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., resided as facilitator of the program. In the program, Mr. Pandeya reflected on positive impacts of COVID-19 in environmental health and included scenario of biodiversity as well. Mr. Pandeya shared about the environmental burden of diseases and the cultural evolution from hunter-gatherers to industrial era, the shifting paradigm of nature. Also, the reflection on the change to expect after COVID-19 were highlighted as such change on CO₂ emission and the roles of youth in bringing the positive change for reduction of CO₂ emission.

In order to make the program fruitful, discussion was done through question and answer session. Participants also shared their views in regard to topic. More than 27 participated in the program of different educational background.

Talks on Climate Change Crisis and COVID-19 on the occasion of World Environment Day

Prepared by: Mr. Amrit Bista, Member, PP Batch III

Paschim Paaila and ENPHO, on the occasion of World Environment Day, jointly organized 7^th series of WASH FORUM Reloaded (WFR) on “Climate Change Crisis to LDCs amidst COVID-19” on 4 June 2020 on zoom meeting platform. The 7^th series of WFR was organized with an objective to share information about climate change crisis to Least Development Countries (LDCs) amidst COVID-19 with a focus on vulnerabilities of climate change to LDCs during and after this COVID-19 pandemic and possible solutions as opportunities.

Mr. Manjeet Dhakal, Head, LDC Support Team at Climate Analytics resided as resource person in the program. During the program, multiple crises facing by vulnerable countries due to COVID-19, the current context of climate change in the world and Nepal and its worsening impacts, implication for LDC graduation and about switch to clean energy were shared. Resource person also highlighted on ongoing initiative to combat climate change, climate action momentum and functional expenditure estimates in different Fiscal year for environment protection in Nepal. He also insisted that COVID-19 should be taken as opportunity and shared that lesson learnt while treating COVID-19 pandemic as an emergency helps to tackle climate change with a similar level of international coordination.

More than 35 participants attended session of WFR on zoom platform and put forward queries during Q/A session. Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila, closed the session with vote of thanks to the resource person and all participants.