Menu
Active in Karnali Province

Water is Dignity. Sanitation is Health. Inclusive, Climate-Resilient WASH for All.

SUSWA is a human rights–progressive bilateral WASH project funded by the Government of Nepal, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and the European Union, implemented across 28 municipalities of Karnali Province

View Resources →
Our Impact

Impact That SUSWA Created

Measurable results and real-life improvements in health, dignity, and inclusion across rural Nepal. Rooted in a human rights-based and climate-resilient approach, these results reflect SUSWA’s progress in strengthening inclusive WASH systems that improve access, functionality, and dignity across Karnali Province.

Safe Water

0

Population served by non-functional water supply systems made functional and safe

Satisfaction

0

Stakeholder Satisfaction

Basic Toilets

0

Number of additional people with access to toilets

Dignity

0

Women using toilets during menstruation

Key Achievements

  • 19 municipalities are now able to carry out basic water quality testing, strengthening safe and reliable drinking water services.
  • 25 municipalities have adopted gender-responsive budgeting, promoting more inclusive and equitable planning.
  • 78,287 people are now accessing safe water, as previously non-functional systems have been restored and made functional.
  • 9,230 people have gained access to safe drinking water through newly developed water supply schemes.
  • 10,103 households have achieved total sanitation status, improving health, dignity, and cleanliness in communities.
  • 4,582 people have been trained on menstrual hygiene management (MHM), including sanitary pad making, supporting dignity, and menstrual health awareness.
★ Success Stories of SUSWA
Happiness Returns to the Women of Bajagad with Their Own Water Tap

Mrs. Jarma Rokaya of Bajagad, Ward No. 5, Hima Rural Municipality, still vividly remembers the terrifying incident in 1993 B.S. (Nepali calendar) when a wild bear attacked her while she went to the river to fetch water. At that time, residents of the former Kalikakhetu VDC, Wards 8 and 9 (now Hima Rural Municipality, Ward… Continue Reading Happiness...

Read More →

More Than Just Taps & Toilets

In the rugged terrain of Karnali, infrastructure alone is not enough. SUSWA takes a human-rights based approach, ensuring that the most vulnerable women, girls, people with disabilities and marginalized groups are at the center of decision making.

  • Government-led implementation for sustainability
  • Focus on Dignified Menstruation Management
  • Climate-resilient water safety planning
  • Gender Equality, Disabilities and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)
Read About SUSWA →

Community First

Local users committees manage every water scheme, ensuring ownership and longevity.

Governance Structure

Why WASH Matters

Water, sanitation, and hygiene are essential for sustainable communities, inclusive development, and resilient local services. In Karnali Province, difficult geography, climate challenges, and limited infrastructure make reliable WASH services critical for everyday life and development.

Safe and Reliable Water

Access to safe drinking water reduces the daily burden on communities and supports healthier, more productive lives. SUSWA works with municipalities to rehabilitate and improve water supply systems so they remain safe, functional, and climate-resilient.

Sustainable Sanitation

Proper sanitation protects the environment, improves living conditions, and supports the long-term sustainability of communities. SUSWA promotes safe, resilient sanitation systems and progress toward total sanitation.

Improved Hygiene Practices

Simple practices such as handwashing and improved household hygiene contribute to safer living environments. SUSWA supports behaviour change and improved sanitation and hygiene practices at household and institutional levels.

Dignity and Inclusion

Access to WASH services must be equitable. SUSWA promotes gender equality, disability inclusion, and dignified menstruation, ensuring that women, girls, and vulnerable groups can safely access and participate in WASH services.

Strong Local Governance

Sustainable WASH services depend on strong institutions. SUSWA strengthens municipal WASH governance, planning, and capacity, enabling local governments to provide reliable services for their communities.

Climate-Resilient WASH (CCA/DRR)

WASH is essential for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, as floods, droughts, and other climate shocks directly disrupt access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services and can quickly lead to health risks and disease outbreaks. By integrating CCA/DRR into WASH systems, SUSWA strengthens climate-resilient services that help communities maintain safe water access, protect public health, and recover more effectively during and after disasters.

These elements are interconnected. When governance, infrastructure, inclusion, and behaviour change work together, communities can achieve sustainable WASH services for all.
Blog

Latest Insights

Real updates from the field, projects, and communities we serve.

Testimonials

Voices From The Field

– Sonam Chhirang Lama, Chairperson, Shree Budha Model Secondary School, Mangri, Mugu

“In our remote village of Mangri, school sanitation and menstrual hygiene were once major challenges. With support from SUSWA, we established our first self-sustaining school

“In our remote village of Mangri, school sanitation and menstrual hygiene were once major challenges. With support from SUSWA, we established our first self-sustaining school sanitation fund, which allows us to regularly purchase essential supplies like soap, towels, and toilet cleaners. The most encouraging part is that teachers, parents, and students now work together to maintain clean toilets and practice proper hygiene. SUSWA’s awareness programmes have truly changed our mindset, and this collective effort has created a lasting culture of sanitation and menstrual hygiene. I hope our initiative inspires other schools to strengthen community-led sanitation and hygiene awareness.”

Quote icon

— Bhupesh Kumar Jyoti, WASH Mart, Jyoti Hardware, and orders suppliers

“The WASH Mart concept was something completely new to me, and perhaps for this area as well. Before, sanitation products were limited, and many essential

“The WASH Mart concept was something completely new to me, and perhaps for this area as well. Before, sanitation products were limited, and many essential items were not available locally. Now, thanks to SUSWA, we have a WASH Mart where people can find everything, from sanitation products to water supply materials, all in one place. I feel proud to be part of this initiative. Seeing people come from surrounding villages, happy to get everything they need in one visit, is truly rewarding. For a place like Jajarkot, where these materials were previously hard to access, this is a game-changer.”

Quote icon

– Lalita Sunar, Ward No. 3, Budakphal, Dharma, Salyan

I grew up thinking women don’t do plumbing, but seeing my father-in-law work as a plumber after my marriage sparked my interest. Helping him in

I grew up thinking women don’t do plumbing, but seeing my father-in-law work as a plumber after my marriage sparked my interest. Helping him in my free time, I gradually learned the skills. When SUSWA introduced the Village Maintenance Worker (VMW) concept, I realized it matched my interest and applied.
Being close to the RVT and having basic plumbing knowledge, the community selected me as a VMW. With SUSWA’s training, I turned my knowledge into practical skills. Today, I serve around 36 households, and people call me respectfully whenever a tap or pipe breaks.
Looking back, I feel proud to contribute to my community.

Quote icon
Gallery

Photos of the Month

Latest moments from the field.

Photos of the Month

View Galleries →

In Collaboration with:

Government of Nepal

Government of Nepal

Co-funded by the European Union

Co-funded by the European Union

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Technical assistance by Niras

Technical assistance

This website was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Finland and the Government of Nepal. Its contents are the sole responsibility of SUSWA and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland or the Government of Nepal.

Copyright © 2022 Sustainable WASH for all