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.
Population served by non-functional water supply systems made functional and safe
Stakeholder Satisfaction
Number of additional people with access to basic toilets
Women using toilets during menstruation
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...
Read Full Story →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.
These elements are interconnected. When
governance, infrastructure, inclusion, and behaviour changework together, communities can achieve
sustainable WASH services for all.Real stories from the field showing the human impact of our work and the resilience of communities we serve.
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.
