The WASH Vision: Role in the 2030 Agenda For Sustainable....
The year 2020 – the Decade of Action to Global Goals – is the start of the ten-year countdown to the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda…
The year 2020 – the Decade of Action to Global Goals – is the start of the ten-year countdown to the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda…
The Water User Committee in Anandapur village (India) consists of 12 women volunteers who have been trained on issues of water quality, budgeting and more…
Water For People develops a cadre of entrepreneurs delivering critical services for water security. As a major source of potable water, hand pumps are ubiquitous in rural India. According to a recent national survey, about 43 percent of rural households rely on hand pumps as a principal source of drinking water. Historically, poor operations and…
Promoting sustainable systems that facilitate provision of safe water and sanitation to communities in a tribal village…
The one who takes the first step may not reach the goal; this deters millions, but motivatesthousands to walk. This story reflects government departments, teachers, parents, students, and project staff coming together to help schools to improve operation and maintenance (O&M) of School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SWASH) facilities.
A watershed is not simply the hydrological unit but also socio-political-ecological entity which plays crucial role in determining food, social, and economic security.
Consistent with the global vision and mission, Water For People’s Everyone Forever model in India promotes safe and reliable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) service provision in communities, schools, and health centers sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments.
The year 2020 kicked off the Decade of Action for Global Goals – a ten-year countdown to achieving SDGs. SDG 6 envisions universal, sustainable, and equitable access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. It will also emphasise eliminating open defecation by 2030, especially for women, girls and other vulnerable groups – leaving no one behind. Water For People India has a strategy to make this goal a reality.
Maharashtra
Chikhaldara is a block in the Amravati District of Maharashtra. The population primarily consists of tribal communities, most of which are farmers. The region has high levels of poverty and experiences widespread water shortages.
In 2017, Water For People India launched The Water Initiative in Chikhaldara block. It aims to achieve Everyone Forever status by 2021, with special attention given to the vulnerable communities. Since the block experiences a high level of water scarcity, Water For People India is piloting water conservation and capture technologies, such as rainwater catchment systems with rehabilitation of dilapidated piped water systems.
Bihar
Sheohar is a rural district in Bihar, and Water For People India works in all the five blocks viz. Dumri Katsari, Tariyani Chowk, Piprahi, Purnahiya and Sheohar. Most people in these densely populated blocks are day labourers and farmers. The level of poverty is very high across the region.
In 2018, Water For People India had installed and rehabilitated handpumps to reach every household in the region. Our current target is to provide deep boreholes for high-quality water in every neighbourhood. We will continue our social art activities like street theatre and short films to educate the locals and promote safe water services. Additionally, loans for household sanitation will be facilitated and disbursed.
West Bengal
Rajnagar is a block in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. Birbhum, an aspirational district of Niti Aayog, is prone to droughts. So rather than focusing on agriculture, the locals generate livelihood by making handicrafts and bamboo products. Over half of the population belongs to traditionally vulnerable and excluded groups.
In Rajnagar, Water For People India will work with communities to strengthen the management of water resources. We will help develop water safety and security plans, train local Jalabandhus, and establish operation and management strategies. To improve water infrastructure, Water For People India will install mini piped-water schemes in villages and construct water points in communities and schools.
West Bengal
Namkhana is a block in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. Most of the population in this block are involved in farming. Namkhana is in low-lying wetlands where water supplies are commonly contaminated with saline.
In Namkhana, Water For People India will focus on improving access to clean and reliable water services by installing and rehabilitating handpumps. In select schools, rainwater harvesting structures will be installed alongside handpumps, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
West Bengal
Patharpratima is a block in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. The majority population works in agriculture, fishing, or manual labour. Patharpratima is susceptible to flooding due to being located in a river delta.
Since 2016, every school, community and clinic in Patharpratima have access to regular water services. And within the next four years, Water For People India had reached every single family in Patharpratima. To sustain those services and replicate the approach at a greater scale in the region, we are strengthening Gram Panchayats responsible for overseeing them.
West Bengal
Sagar Island is a block in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. Most residents of Sagar Island are subsistence farmers, fishers, or manual labourers. Sagar Island is prone to flooding and tidal surges, which makes providing reliable water services particularly challenging.
Yet, we had reached every school, clinic, and community in Sagar Island by 2016, a significant milestone for us. To replicate these results, Water For People India shifted its focus on improving the sustainability of water services by strengthening Gram Panchayats and developing plans for scaling the approach across South 24 Parganas and West Bengal.
Today, every family in Sagar Island has been provided with reliable water services.