WaterAid began its water, sanitation and hygiene work in Nepal in 1987 and now works with seven partner organisations in the country. Our activities with them are vital as approximately a third of all deaths in Nepal are of children under five, and half of these are due to diarrhoea.

In rural areas our work with partner Nepal Water for Health has enabled almost 4% of the population to access water, sanitation and improved hygiene. Our urban work reaches those living in slum and squatter settlements in the Kathmandu valley and towns in the narrow strip of flat, fertile land along the Indian border of the Terai. From the Terai, the landscape rises up into the steep foothills and mountains of the Himalayas. This demanding terrain determines methods used to ensure safe drinking water and improved sanitation.

Latrine installation and access to a safe water source can be difficult and so we work closely with dispersed communities to find the best solutions for them.

In each environment technologies are chosen that are appropriate to local conditions, affordable and easy for communities to set up and maintain themselves.