Jajarkot
WASH RECOVERY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

Jajarkot District is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including Brahmins, Chhetris, Magars, and Tharus, each contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of the area. It is situated at altitudes ranging from approximately 1,000 to 3,000 meters above sea level and is known for its stunning natural landscapes, traditional agriculture, and reliance on local resources for livelihoods. The community’s resilience and adaptability are noteworthy, but the earthquake of magnitude 6.4 on November 03, 2023, has significantly challenged these strengths.

Besides 154 fatalities and 366 injured people, the earthquake displaced tens of thousands. 62,011 households have suffered significant damage, and many have been forced to live outdoors in harsh conditions. Additionally, vital infrastructure as well as essential services have been compromised, particularly water and sanitation. The population had already been vulnerable to waterborne diseases due to poor sanitation and limited access to clean water before, now the situation has deteriorated dramatically.

Approximately 660 community water supply systems and over 42,800 household toilets were affected, along with WASH facilities in 279 schools and 29 healthcare facilities, leading to a crisis in access to safe water and sanitation. Many people have been forced to return to open defecation, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Given past episodes of diarrhea and cholera outbreak in affected areas, it is crucial to support the rehabilitation and restoration of water supply systems, construct new schemes, and rehabilitate toilets and handwashing facilities in communities, schools, and healthcare facilities. Additionally, raising awareness on safe hygiene practices is imperative to prevent future outbreaks.

To address the gaps and challenges in the WASH and nutrition sector, a Joint Recovery Action Plan (JRAP) has been developed by the UN of which this project forms a part.

Goals of this project

• 4,000 people will have access to safely managed water services,
• 3,000 people will have access to basic sanitation facilities,
• 7,000 people will receive information on hygiene promotion (15,000 indirectly)
• two communities will be declared as water-safe communities,
• eight schools will have at least basic WASH facilities,
• 180 people will be trained in WASH related and operation and maintenance training.

Chay Ya will work closely with the provincial and local governments and coordinate efforts with all stakeholders. This program will facilitate cross-learning among the local governments, fostering the sharing of best practices and resources related to WASH sector planning and the establishment of child-friendly, gender-sensitive, and disability-inclusive WASH facilities at household and school levels. To enable capacity building, a variety of people are to receive training in different WASH topics to allow them to appropriately maintain the WASH services in the future and thus ensure their sustainability.

The local governments will bear up to 15 % of the costs.