Kathmandu, December 28

A team of SAARC Development Fund led by implementing agencies of the Strengthening of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services in selected areas of SAARC countries gathered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for their combined meeting yesterday.

The WASH is a SDF-funded project. The objectives of the meeting were to evaluate the progress made by implementing agencies; facilitate the exchange of experiences between them; discuss the problems being faced by them and to agree on solutions to solve the same; and to review and discuss the sustainability plan and revenue generation model for the project, said a press release issued by the SDF today.

The WASH project with an approved budget of US$ 6.30 million has Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as participating countries. The project aims to provide equitable access to safe drinking water; ensure adequate quantity of good quality of water; identify appropriate/innovative technologies for treatment, restoration and development of sustainable water resource mechanisms; and declare targeted areas Open Defecation Free.

The project also aims to promote hygiene and sanitation practices in schools and targeted communities; capacitate community-based organisations in management of water and sanitation facilities and promotion of hygiene and promote water based livelihoods, among other things.