Concerning Urban Youths on WASH Issues

Concerning Urban Youths on WASH Issues

-By Giri Raj Khatri

The adage "Sanitation is more important than independence" – Mathama Gandhi is very crucial and important for all. To fulfill the MDG target the accessibility of water and sanitation facilities to all citizens is very challenging in context of Nepal. The situation water and sanitation in urban poor communities is inadequate. Though the youths are key stakeholders, they are always taking apart. Considering the fact, the urban community youths were empowered through "Youth WASH Concern Workshop" from April 21, May 2 and 3, 2011.

The three days training workshop was organized by "paschim paaila" with the technical support from Environment and Public Health Organization and financial support from Youth Fund/UNHABITAT.  Around 25 youths from two urban communities (Chayasal and Pathivara Tole) at the age between 16-32 years were participated the workshop. The session of the workshop were developed mainly focusing on importance of drinking water quality, different POU option, environmental sanitation, Hygiene behavior and BCC (behavior change & communication) in the community. Different participatory approaches like documentary show, games, group discussion, drama, statue and role playing activities were applied to motivate youths.

During the session, the present status and community people's perceptions were collected from the participants and it was supportive to facilitate the workshop. Also, the participants were trained on technique for health education promotion as well. "I have got good opportunity to enhance my knowledge on WASH and I will do my best to replicate this learning in my community as a change driver"- said Ms. Soni Shrestha, a participant from Chayasal community.

Finally, the workshop was concluded with the guest speech by Dr. Suman Kumar Shakya, Executive Director, ENPHO and vote of thanks from Ms. Kamala KC.

युवामाझ काठमाडौँको खानेपानीको गुणस्तरको बहस

युवामाझ काठमाडौँको खानेपानीको गुणस्तरको बहस

चैत्र, काठमाडौ

- धना खतिवडा

काठमाडौ भुकम्पको खतरा रहेको विश्वको पहिलो जोखिमपूर्ण भएपनि यहाँको खानेपानीको कुनै पनि स्रोत सुरक्षित नरहेको तथ्यखुलेको छ । 

राजधानीमा आयोजित कार्यक्रममा सो कुरा काठमाडौ उपत्यका खानेपानी लिमिटेड (केयूकेल)का महाँकाल प्रमुख राजीबजोशीले बताउनु भएको हो । उहाँले भन्नुभयो, “केयूकेल यस्ता खालका अध्ययन गर्नका लागी आर्थिक रुपमा सक्षम छैन ।”.

साथै, विभिन्न दातृ निकाएको सहयोगमा निर्माण गरिएका ट्रिटमेन्ट प्लान्ट भुकम्पबाट कति सुरक्षित छन् भनेर कसैले पनि अध्ययन नगरेको उहाँले बताउनुभयो । विरशमशेरकै पालामा निर्माण गरिएका पाइप लाइन पुननिर्माण नगरी प्रयोगमा ल्याउनु नै यहाँको मुख्य समस्या हो भन्नुभयो ।
त्यस्तै, जनस्वास्थ्य तथा वातावरण संस्था (एन्फो)का उपकार्यकारी निर्देशक अमरेश प्रसाद कर्मचार्यले केयूकेलको खानेपानीको स्रोत खानेपानीका लागी स्तरिय भएपनि भुकम्पका दृष्टिबाट असुरक्षित भएको बताउनुभयो ।

त्यसैगरी, एन्फोका प्रोमोशनल मेनेजर राजेश अधिकारीले खानेपानीका स्रोत सुरक्षित गर्न हामीले हाम्रो बानी सुधार गर्न आवश्यक रहेको बताउनुभयो । वाश फोरम , एन्फो र “पश्चिमपाईला” बाट संयुक्त रुपमा आयोजना हुदै आएको छ । कार्यक्रममा विभिन्न क्षेत्रबाट ४० भन्दा बढी युवाको सहभागीता रहेको थियो ।

WASH FORUM (DECEMBER SERIES) HIT THE ISSUES OF WASH ON URBAN POOR

WASH FORUM (DECEMBER SERIES) HIT THE ISSUES OF WASH ON URBAN POOR

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

WASH FORUM, a regular interaction program, scheduled at last Friday of every English month in which December series was focused on the issues of WASH on urban poor entitled, “WASH Issues and Informal Urban Settlement of Nepal” among 48 youths from various institutions and organizations on 31^st December, 2010 with joint collaboration of “paschim paaila”, ENPHO and WASH-RCNN.

The program was divided into two sessions, first for Key Note Presentation and second for Thematic Paper Presentation. As a key note presenter first session was led by Mrs. Lajana Manandhar, Executive Director, Lumanti. “Changing  thoughts for urban poor from squatter to informal settlement is also a big change happened during  15 years’,” Said by Mrs. Lajana Manandar, Lumanti with initiating her key note presentation. She shared her ideas on major WASH issues of informal urban settlements, as inadequate facilities, low priority from government and ownership issue of land (particularly for squatter communities) and also highlighted that unless and until such issues are address, the remarkable outputs cannot be taken. She also shared some solution approaches for solving these key issues. “Out of 366 settlements only 34 % and 48 % urban poor communities have access to safe drinking water and own latrine respectively” She said, “approaches and interventions concentrating to urban poor settlements from government and other stakeholders are the key requisites to promote the sustainable solutions.”

Second session was led by Dr. Murali Gopal Ranjitkar, Senior Environmental Consultant, DRILP-ADB as a Thematic Paper Presenter. He presented his presentation based on his Ph.D. Research completed recently on the topic entitled, “Management of Drinking Water Delivery System for Urban Poor Communities in Kathmandu Valley.” He presented his ideas based on the research along with the work experiences on WASH Sector on present management practices, urban poor consumers’ perceptions on water systems and practices, etc. He also recommended some possible alternatives for the effective management of water systems with respects to the kinds of communities which was got interesting by the participants. “The ultimate solution can only be seen if joining hands are seen from all sectors and levels, otherwise it will just be a preaching proverbs but nothing else.” Said Dr. Murali, at the end of his session.

Finally, the program was concluded with the concluding remarks by Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan, Coordinator, “paschim paaila” at around 4 pm.