Water, and Sanitation Program in Flood-Affected Areas Organized by Swabhiman Samiti

On 8th July 2007, severe flooding struck the region, an area already prone to floods. Although the community did not anticipate such a catastrophic flood at the beginning of the monsoon season, the region was severely affected due to heavy rainfall in Nepal, which resulted in widespread flooding. The floods not only submerged agricultural land, destroying crops, but also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads and water sources.

  1. Impact of the Flood:

The flood affected several revenue villages, including:

  • Sekhui
  • Ka Reharwa
  • Chhaibaha Tola

Entire villages were submerged, and many villages, such as Mairund, were completely cut off from the district due to flooded roads. As a result, people were left without access to basic supplies, including safe drinking water.

  1. Water and Sanitation Issues:

One of the major issues faced during the flood was the lack of access to clean and safe drinking water. The flooding resulted in the damaging of handpumps and low-level water sources, which led to contaminated water being available to the affected population. Swabhiman Samiti took immediate action to address these issues and ensure that people had access to clean drinking water.

2.1 Handpump Repair and Platform Heightening:

  • Handpumps in 5 villages were repaired, and the platforms of 13 handpumps were raised to ensure that the water supply would remain safe and uncontaminated by floodwaters.
  • The heightening of handpump platforms was done to ensure that even during future floods, the water source would remain above the flood level, keeping the water safe for consumption.

2.2 Water Purification Campaign:

  • To further educate the community about water purification, Swabhiman Samiti developed two types of posters providing information about water purification techniques.
  • These posters were distributed and displayed in 16 villages within the working area to raise awareness about the importance of boiling water or using water purification tablets to ensure safe drinking water.
  1. Vector Control and Prevention of Waterborne Diseases:

The post-flood period also saw an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis, due to the accumulation of stagnant water in the affected areas. To combat these diseases, Swabhiman Samiti, in collaboration with ActionAid India, conducted fogging operations in flood-affected villages.

3.1 Fogging Operations:

  • Fogging was carried out in 39 hamlets across 16 villages to eliminate mosquito larvae and prevent the spread of diseases.
  • ActionAid India provided a fogging machine and the necessary fuel (diesel and petrol), while Malathion Technical pesticide was provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Siddharthnagar for use in the fogging process.
  • The fogging operations were conducted in two rounds, effectively reducing the mosquito population and minimizing the risk of vector-borne diseases.
  1. Impact of the Flood Relief Program:

The combined efforts of Swabhiman Samiti and ActionAid India in addressing the water contamination, sanitation issues, and vector control during and after the flood had a significant impact on the affected communities:

  • Improved Access to Safe Drinking Water: The repair of handpumps and raising of platforms ensured that the affected population had access to clean drinking water even during flood conditions.
  • Awareness of Water Purification: The posters and educational campaigns helped the community understand the importance of boiling water and using water purification methods to prevent waterborne diseases.
  • Prevention of Disease Outbreaks: The fogging operations were crucial in controlling the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, significantly reducing the health risks faced by flood-affected communities.
  1. Conclusion:

Swabhiman Samiti’s Flood Relief Program, focused on water, sanitation, and health in the aftermath of the 2007 flood, played a critical role in mitigating the impact of the disaster. The combined efforts in handpump repairs, water purification, and fogging helped reduce health risks, ensure access to clean water, and raise awareness about maintaining proper sanitation.

These interventions contributed to building resilience in the affected communities and ensured that they were better prepared for future disasters. Swabhiman Samiti remains committed to its mission of improving health and sanitation in flood-prone areas, and will continue to work towards empowering vulnerable populations with the resources and knowledge needed to face such challenges.