Often, the news feels like a distant story, one that we struggle to relate to because it doesn’t usually affect us directly. Despite our efforts to empathize with the victims of calamities and disasters, we remain largely unaffected on a personal level. However, in Nepal, the 2015 earthquake exposed all of our vulnerabilities to the unpredictable power of Mother Nature.
Reflecting on that time, detachment from any news of disasters is incomprehensible. We can recall the pervasive uncertainty, the same uncertainty that victims of disasters must be facing now. Many of us found solace in camping outside our homes, fearing that the earthquake and its relentless aftershocks had compromised the structural integrity of our houses. The possibility of our houses collapsing was more real than we cared to admit. During this period, we were forced to prioritize what truly mattered: our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Only after ensuring our safety did we consider material possessions like our homes and important documents.
In those moments, stripped to our most elemental needs, we realized the critical importance of having drinking water, food to eat, access to a toilet, and soap to maintain basic hygiene.
Project Noah: The Betterment of Humanity
According to recent news articles, as of mid-July 2024, water-induced disasters have affected 33 districts in Nepal, resulting in 124 deaths from floods and landslides, and 9 deaths from lightning. The first four weeks of the monsoon season this year have recorded above-average rainfall, worsening the risk of floods and landslides.
In a country as disaster-prone as Nepal, the importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) cannot be overstated. From devastating earthquakes to frequent landslides and floods, Nepal faces a variety of natural disasters that disrupt daily life and pose significant health risks. In these challenging times, ensuring access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices becomes a lifeline for affected communities most of whom are invariably the elderly, women and children.
During disasters, the risk of waterborne diseases increases rapidly. According to the WHO, contaminated water sources, inadequate sanitation facilities, and lack of proper hygiene behaviours can lead to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. These diseases can spread rapidly in crowded shelters and temporary camps, where people are already vulnerable. According to UNICEF, diarrheal diseases are responsible for over 40% of deaths in the acute emergency phase of a humanitarian crisis. Ensuring access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities is crucial to prevent these outbreaks and save lives.
Beyond immediate health concerns, inclusive WASH is fundamental to the overall recovery process. Clean water and sanitation facilities are essential for maintaining dignity and preventing secondary health issues, which disproportionately affect women and children the most. They also enable other critical activities, such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene, which are vital for the well-being of disaster-affected populations. According to the Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) led by UNICEF, in Nepal, where 10.8 million people still lack access to improved sanitation and 3.5 million lack basic water services, the need for robust WASH infrastructure is evident.
Investing in inclusive WASH services not only addresses immediate needs but also builds resilience against future disasters. By strengthening water supply systems, improving sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene practices, communities become better equipped to withstand and recover from disasters. This is particularly important in our country, where climate-induced disasters such as floods and landslides are becoming more frequent. A resilient and inclusive WASH infrastructure can mitigate some of the impact of these events and ensure that communities can bounce back more quickly.
The Nepalese government, along with organizations like WaterAid and other development partners, has been working tirelessly to improve WASH services across the country. These efforts include providing safe water at schools and healthcare facilities, scaling up sanitation movements, and raising awareness about hygiene practices. However, there is still much work to be done. Continued investment and collaboration are essential to ensure that all Nepalese have access to the WASH services they need, especially during disasters.
Furthermore, considering how climate-induced disasters disproportionately affect women and children, integrating gender equality and climate resilience into WASH systems is crucial. A recent report highlights the need to address gender inequalities and climate impacts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by 2030. This includes understanding diverse needs, connecting fragmented silos, and addressing power imbalances. By adopting a gender-responsive and climate-resilient approach, we can ensure that WASH services are inclusive and sustainable, even in the face of extreme weather events.
The new coalition government faces a critical test in responding to the floods and landslides. Effective disaster response and swift administrative action are essential to mitigate the impact. This is a call-to-action for the government and all of us. As we continue to face the challenges of natural disasters, let us remember that clean water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene are not luxuries—they are necessities.
