Program Objectives:

To provide immediate, visible and positive impact on the lives of vulnerable communities in Bitadi, Kailali and Kanchanpur district of Nepal through improved access to clean drinking water and sanitation.

Expected outcome of the project

• Increased access of people to basic services, particularly drinking water and sanitation
• Increased capacity of communities in management of the community drinking water systems
• Increased awareness of communities on water borne diseases and personal hygiene

Introduction
Bitadi, Kailali and Kanchanpur is one of the most remote districts in the mid western part of the country, lagging far behind in all development indicators. The district is also considered the heartland of the Maoist movement, which began eight years ago, where the conflict originally materialized and gathered momentum eight years ago. Bitadi, Kailali and Kanchanpur continues to be one of most vulnerable district in terms of security. This conflict has adversely affected the livelihoods of people, including their access to basic services, especially in the mid and far western development regions of Nepal. During this period several basic community infrastructure such as schools, health facilities, trail bridges, community drinking water systems (DWS), etc. have been severely damaged. The reduction of development budget and the restriction of civic rights during this period further weakened people's livelihoods and also did not allow for regular rehabilitation and maintenance of basic community infrastructure.

Most affected by the conflict have been the marginalized and vulnerable households such as poor men, women and children, women headed households and Dalits (lower-caste people). Since the conflict escalated in 2001, adult men and young boys have been migrating en mass to the nearest urban centers in Nepal and in India, to avoid recruitment by the insurgents and also to support the livelihoods of their families. This has created an increasing burden on the women, young children and older people who are left in the villages. There have been two rounds of peace talks between the government and the insurgents since 2002 that have not been conclusive. This has led to further uncertainty in the operating environment. The Maoists insurgency has been making it increasingly difficult for the service delivery and development programs to have a direct presence in the villages.

Significant numbers of people from villages have migrated to the district headquarters. There is high pressure on schools in the district headquarters as children of migrants are studying over there and support for strengthening the school infrastructure was also identified as a need. Another problem is related to access to clinical health services, especially for women since problems like uterus prolepses was quite high. Due to the insurgency the mobility of women to access health services in the district hospital was being hampered. Other support related to rural infrastructure strengthening (such as re-construction of VDC buildings destroyed by the insurgents, post offices, health posts) is lacking. There is an increasing need to assess to drinking water at the community level.

Most of the community drinking water systems constructed during 80's and 90s are not functioning well. The District government authorities had not been able to support the communities due to the reduction in the budget as well as the worsening security situation. As a result, people are facing problems in getting potable water. People have no option then using stream water or irrigation channels for their daily use. As a result, people are suffering from diarrhea and other water-borne diseases seasonally and frequently. This had a direct negative impact on the health of the community through gastro-intestinal problems. Data reveals that the diarrhoea incident rate is 174 per 1.000 under five children and the prevalence rate being 189 per 1.000, of a total population of 51.880 under five children in Bitadi, Kailali and Kanchanpur children.

In the villages, to cope with livelihood insecurity, male family members of this region migrate on a seasonal basis to find employment either in the Nepal lowlands or India. However, due to the present conflict situation, this trend has increased sharply with the fear of men and young boys being pulled into the conflict by both sides. As a result of this, more women and children are being left behind in the villages, adding greater responsibilities to the women as heads of the households. On top of it, due to the poor drinking water supply fetching water was taking more of their time, allowing less time for other domestic and agriculture related work.