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 ResourcesMeasurable 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.
Population served by non-functional water supply systems made functional and safe
Stakeholder Satisfaction
Number of additional people with access to toilets
Women using toilets during menstruation
“There was a time when people looked down on us because we were Dalit and believed they should not drink water touched by us. Today, everyone drinks the water from the system I help maintain. I feel that discrimination has decreased. This is one of the greatest joys of my life.”For Lalita Sunar of Budhakafal,… Continue Reading From...
Read More →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.
Local users committees manage every water scheme, ensuring ownership and longevity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safe water and sanitation are essential for building climate-resilient communities. Through SUSWA, CCA/DRR is integrated into WASH services to protect water sources, strengthen resilient infrastructure, and support communities during floods, droughts, and other climate shocks.
Real updates from the field, projects, and communities we serve.
“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.”
“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.”
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.
Latest moments from the field.
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.
