Earthquake and disaster risk reduction in Nepal

Tauthali Village is one of the areas of Sindhupalchok district which was severely affected by the massive earthquake of 2015. All the houses of Tauthali got destroyed including existing toilets. People, who were living in temporary huts were compelled to use open fields for defecation. This soon made the village very polluted and filled with bad odor.  In addition people started to have several illness including diarrhea.

 After providing the urgent emergency relief support to the village, PHASE Nepal recognized the need of sanitation project in the village and started to support the families to rebuild their toilets by providing materials, logistic support and skilled staff to the households whose toilets has been destroyed and to the households who did not own any toilet previously. Till now more than 250 toilets have already been rebuilt by local families with PHASE’s support. In addition to building the toilets, PHASE also provided information to the community members about sanitation, proper use of toilet and prevention of water borne diseases.

Ratna, 40, a local from the village is very pleased with the support provided by PHASE Nepal for the construction of household toilets in the village and also thanked PHASE Nepal for its initiative to help Tauthali to get back the status of ‘open defecation free village’.

“After everything was destroyed including our toilets we  found that there was no option besides using barren lands and forest for defecation purpose for most of the families here in Tauthali. Especially for children, women and elderly people it was very difficult to go out at the night (to use the toilet). Now with PHASE Nepal’s support I have built my own toilet. In addition I also know how to use is properly and keep it clean. I thank PHASE Nepal on behalf of the whole village for your continuous support.” Says Ratna.