Durga Bhagwati, Rautahat
WASH-RECOVERY AFTER FLOODING

The Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality is located in the flat, southern part of Nepal, known as the Terai lowlands. The people here rely primarily on subsistence farming, with the prevailing dry heat interrupted annually by extreme monsoon rains that flood the area. The literacy rate is about 61 %, and among women, it is as low as 54 %. Poverty is widespread, and hygiene awareness is virtually nonexistent. Few households have their own toilets, so open defecation is not uncommon, and the spread of waterborne diseases is a major problem.

To address this, Chay Ya, in collaboration with the community, has provided 21 RTI (ready-to-install) toilets. These are made of lightweight, durable, and reusable materials and can be assembled and disassembled in just a few minutes. Thanks to their elevated construction, modular design, and watertight dual-chamber system, they remain functional and hygienic even during floods. The design is space-saving, cost-effective, and adapted to local conditions, ensuring dignity and safety – especially for women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

The community was involved in the installation and received technical training, and will be responsible for long-term maintenance.