tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80405646225359561422023-11-16T10:30:15.432+03:00W.A.S.H FAIRSanitation is more than just about washing hands and hygiene, it is a HUMAN RIGHTAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-1353358427646667042016-11-08T11:01:00.002+03:002016-11-08T11:01:33.668+03:00A revolution in the world of sanitation, period!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-KjT_jsjYjr_jjWqJE2J_Lcjll7Wi6ByiD84I8jwgjnbFiUjRhs7rGo3F5tcXPBzgTiZ8DzhWosv57WvRwOh8LrIdws4OhX8RCmgKodJNw-24f22fd1ggJoHg3KZlYXEpdfDBrTT_f4/s1600/Eco+femme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-KjT_jsjYjr_jjWqJE2J_Lcjll7Wi6ByiD84I8jwgjnbFiUjRhs7rGo3F5tcXPBzgTiZ8DzhWosv57WvRwOh8LrIdws4OhX8RCmgKodJNw-24f22fd1ggJoHg3KZlYXEpdfDBrTT_f4/s640/Eco+femme.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Menstruation and hygiene have been issues that women have
been concerned about for ages. While the market is filled with disposable
sanitary napkins (gel-based pads), environmental activists claim that a single
disposable pad can take 500-800 years to decompose. If you’re one of those
people who wants to create a sustainable environment, but haven’t been able to
think of an alternative, here’s your blessing – cloth pads by Eco Femme!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eco Femme is a women-led social enterprise founded by Kathy
Walkling in 2010. It has been creating a social change through revitalising
menstrual practices by producing and selling washable cloth pads and also
providing education in menstrual health. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The first two years of the venture was spent in product
R&D on the menstrual practices of rural women and girls. Insights from
these studies revealed the cultural taboo, poor education and understanding of
menstrual cycle,” says Kathy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2012, Eco Femme launched the product commercially (in
India and abroad). It also flagged off the ‘Pad for Pad’ programme linking
international sales with sponsoring pads for adolescent girls (which are
distributed as part of a menstrual education workshop offered in schools). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4ZMi-axBT3Vy14i2Zv46zPlr6B3BnEnnJB0IE7oo0KfLO8cUCnUAZ0v9lBVXi8eREoMk7MZRrCIf6SRyhD0kK09JpqN0pygah3MFFSgLWJw7GEvIbxHodfkyDwUPxV2-hr1QHJoiRU8/s1600/Pads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4ZMi-axBT3Vy14i2Zv46zPlr6B3BnEnnJB0IE7oo0KfLO8cUCnUAZ0v9lBVXi8eREoMk7MZRrCIf6SRyhD0kK09JpqN0pygah3MFFSgLWJw7GEvIbxHodfkyDwUPxV2-hr1QHJoiRU8/s400/Pads.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In the last few years, our business and sales have been
growing. We’ve expanded the programme by increasing our partnerships (for
implementation) across India and figuring out a strategy to make cloth pads
affordable and accessible for economically disadvantaged women,” explains
Kathy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Addressing the stigma around menstruation and the lack of
awareness among rural women, Kathy found that most women were relieved to talk
about it. “Women have questions, fears, concerns and are happy when someone is
addressing these doubts. But they’re comfortable talking about it when men
aren’t around,” she shares.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, how can men be a part of breaking the menstruation
taboo? “There are backlashes all over the world now about period shaming. Men
certainly have a role to play – to be informed and understand that this is a
process in creating gender equality. And women have a role to play in speaking
about it with men instead of keeping them in the dark. This lack of awareness
breeds misinformation and taboo,” she says.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the concept of cloth pads receiving mixed response,
Kathy reveals that early users of cloth pads were aware of the chemicals in
disposable ones. “There are many women and girls who are aware of the adverse
reactions of using these plastics and chemicals; these are the same people who
are also concerned about pollution. So when presented with factual information
about sanitary waste from disposables, they’re motivated to try cloth pads,”
she explains.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without this information, most women however are happy with
the convenience of disposable pads — find them liberating even — and they think
the idea of cloth pads is a taking a step backwards. “The shift is gradual; it
takes time to educate women about the limitations of disposable pads…as in
getting rid of them after use,” rues Kathy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaoauM1E5PSDztZiimbBMTEsf6oY6s3H9kLLo6aVuZi0lltQOl1yBtFhPpIuwDAshy8iWkr1DS6mPHm58dvc89gaxTi7bHg-OWX0LAnngLvUwNpIRFD96T5w8Q_5_muQh0U9q0PX68Xc/s1600/Protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaoauM1E5PSDztZiimbBMTEsf6oY6s3H9kLLo6aVuZi0lltQOl1yBtFhPpIuwDAshy8iWkr1DS6mPHm58dvc89gaxTi7bHg-OWX0LAnngLvUwNpIRFD96T5w8Q_5_muQh0U9q0PX68Xc/s640/Protest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathy opines that educational institutions must have open
dialogues on menstruation, so that it becomes more mainstream. “It should
become a part of school curriculum — for both girls and boys. It’s important to look at our own negative
biases against menstruation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of us are conditioned to feel disgust and aversion
towards menstruation/menstrual blood and while this remains unexamined, the
same messages will get transmitted to children (either offspring or in a
classroom). That’s why menstruation is seen as something dirty, secretive and
shameful,” she avers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apart from products such as reusable baby diapers and breast
pads for lactating mothers (which will be launched within the next six months),
Eco Femme is working towards expanding partnerships for its’ non-profit,
educational work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are still figuring out effective ways to streamline
distribution for the subsidised pads (Pads for Sisters programme) via NGO’s and
other channels. We will also be developing more adult education programmes – to
help educators, activists and ambassadors feel more confident, so that we can
bring this conversation into the community at different levels,” she adds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-49852558441161934272016-11-02T11:41:00.000+03:002016-11-02T11:41:01.227+03:00Sulabh International founder to be new face of Railways<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpPWhZE25IeACs2PGA8RvOWsB9_4lx0ulipLSiQie86Rj73tbn6W7SRciuR3Dg2zylOIa8E98DVHTw9pwPhbRJ3zRb4HFG9SBgLBAQUnTsIWPGUEeZmkeB-mL9fC6i_5dNMI2YMozqfI/s1600/Bindeshwar_Pathak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpPWhZE25IeACs2PGA8RvOWsB9_4lx0ulipLSiQie86Rj73tbn6W7SRciuR3Dg2zylOIa8E98DVHTw9pwPhbRJ3zRb4HFG9SBgLBAQUnTsIWPGUEeZmkeB-mL9fC6i_5dNMI2YMozqfI/s640/Bindeshwar_Pathak.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #362f2d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Toilet man Bindeshwar
Pathak would be the new face of spick and span Indian trains with the ministry
of railways roping him in as brand ambassador for its cleanliness mission.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #362f2d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #362f2d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The decision to make
Mr Pathak brand ambassador was made after a high-level meeting, which decided
on sprucing up the cleanliness mission in railway stations and trains, a senior
Railways official said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #362f2d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mr Pathak’s
organisation <a href="http://www.sulabhinternational.org/">Sulabh International </a>has already offered to adopt five major
Railway stations in the country to build toilets and make them open defecation
free. One such station is the capital’s Old Delhi railway station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #362f2d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sulabh International
is an India-based social service organisation that works to promote human
rights, environmental sanitation, non-conventional sources of energy, waste
management and social reforms through education. Mr Pathak’s work is considered
pioneering in the field of sanitation and hygiene. He received various national
and international awards for his work with this organisation, including Padma
Bhushan in 2003. His name was added to the Global 500 Roll of Honour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #362f2d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He also received the
Energy Globe Award and the Stockholm Water Prize. In June, 2013, he got the
Legend of Planet award from the French senate in Paris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #362f2d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #362f2d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SOURCE ASIAN AGE</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-1430034775445987222016-10-04T11:13:00.001+03:002016-10-04T11:13:35.675+03:00What numbers tell us about Open Defecation in India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XHOwtM10imxfqBqbbBfJxafznUSjtRSujvQxwHPp5bVxe7gH28P7ZZHAsLZ6RMvswdLITDslSZ9AnkU-RMgA01kMviZPQQfvimAuD2jpVQU9Sk_0jqM55H7aaS551hsCzoqYBzTeDiI/s1600/Indian+women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XHOwtM10imxfqBqbbBfJxafznUSjtRSujvQxwHPp5bVxe7gH28P7ZZHAsLZ6RMvswdLITDslSZ9AnkU-RMgA01kMviZPQQfvimAuD2jpVQU9Sk_0jqM55H7aaS551hsCzoqYBzTeDiI/s640/Indian+women.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As per the most recent Swachhta Status Report in 2015, more
than half of the rural population (52.1 per cent) of the country still
defecates in open.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eliminating Open Defecation in India by 2nd October 2019 –
the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi – is one of the key aims of the
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi two
years ago on Gandhi Jayanti.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As per the most recent Swachhta Status Report of the
National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), in 2015, more than half of the rural
population (52.1 per cent) of the country still defecates in open —a major
public health and sanitation problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How does India compare with other countries?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
India fares poorly. According to data compiled by r.i.c.e,
Sub-Saharan Africa, which had 65 per cent of the GDP per capita of India, had
only about half of the rural open defecation compared to India.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Bangladesh, only 5 per cent of rural people defecate in
the open, significantly lower than that in India.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Access to toilets</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Swachhta Status Report finds that 45.3 per cent
households in rural areas reported having access to a sanitary toilet whereas,
in urban areas, 88.8 per cent households reported having sanitary toilets.
Sanitary toilet is one which ensures safe confinement and disposal of faeces
and does not require the need for human handling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Comparable data from various rounds of NSSO show that access
to latrines has improved both in rural and urban India. In 1993, 85.8 per cent
of rural households didn’t have access to a latrine. By 2012, the number was
reduced to 59.4 per cent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSxk67w2NEV0b_x6BTZanYz1iygSOeyH3POpDjDpNADbkrwRjyA54x7SiOhUO7f8vYaOxJH05UXGo8htohcHOxICZWlvYdOEZ6UlF1JUBzkjVAXLAao-BT9ZCZmmva_GRw5RVwIlVOKI/s1600/Latrines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSxk67w2NEV0b_x6BTZanYz1iygSOeyH3POpDjDpNADbkrwRjyA54x7SiOhUO7f8vYaOxJH05UXGo8htohcHOxICZWlvYdOEZ6UlF1JUBzkjVAXLAao-BT9ZCZmmva_GRw5RVwIlVOKI/s640/Latrines.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Does access to toilet ensure usage?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is one of the key policy questions regarding Open
Defecation and also the one which is the most debated. Should the government
focus on building more toilets—increase access, or on encouraging people to use
toilets—behaviour change?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Based on findings from NSSO’s Swachhta Status Report, one
can conclude that access implies usage. The survey found that among the
households having a sanitary toilet, 95.6 percent people were using it. “It may
be seen that for the rural households having a sanitary toilet, the usage
percentage was very high across all categories [age, gender],” the report says.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As per another NSSO survey, in 2012, just 1.7 percent of the
households in rural areas and 0.2 percent of the households in urban areas had
access to latrine but not using them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But the SQUAT survey conducted by r.i.c.e found that
40 per cent of households that have a working latrine have at least one person
who regularly defecates in the open. Further, less than half of people </span>who own a government latrine use it regularly. “47 per cent
of those that defecate in the open say they do so because it is pleasant,
comfortable, or convenient.”<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can access to toilet change personal preferences? The
question remains unanswered due to lack of official data. Diane Coffey from
r.i.c.e argues that the NSSO survey is not designed to tell us what will happen
if the government builds latrines for people who don't have them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The vast majority of latrines in rural India cost at least
20,000 rupees and has large pits that are mechanically emptied, or never
emptied. The government provides latrines that have soak pits that need to be
emptied manually. Villagers think that only Dalits can do this work,” Ms Coffey
told The Hindu.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note that under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), the support
for building an individual toilet is Rs. 12,000.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Toilet construction<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pace of toilet construction increased in 2015-16,
government data says.But the toilet construction numbers are not always reliable,
as was found by an audit report by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of
India that was released in December 2015. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The CAG found that during the UPA-II
regime, governments of at least 16 states exaggerated the data on individual
household toilets by over 190 per cent of the actual constructions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEKsc93WM3QwmHnHhI8Qrd1K3sAFO6q0PKdnwoohWyTYKqapamDf_cRoRiviC39pzXzAvYYdugm-br2jjdfyJH-LIcryxpWjA2Jsnf3uaWf-GCYXHfryuZNjvU1Vvjnajaoh0ew2cn-A/s1600/Toilet-constructio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEKsc93WM3QwmHnHhI8Qrd1K3sAFO6q0PKdnwoohWyTYKqapamDf_cRoRiviC39pzXzAvYYdugm-br2jjdfyJH-LIcryxpWjA2Jsnf3uaWf-GCYXHfryuZNjvU1Vvjnajaoh0ew2cn-A/s640/Toilet-constructio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Dysfunctional toilets</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Further, the CAG report said that of the constructed
toilets, around 30 per cent were found to be dysfunctional. A Niti Aayog report of Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan states that “the visible improvement in toilet coverage
across Indian states is deeply undermined by the poor quality of operation and
maintenance of these facilities.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As per the All India Baseline survey conducted by Ministry
of Drinking Water and Sanitation in 2012-13, 1.39 crore of the total 7.41 crore
household toilets in India were defunct or dysfunctional.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Financial assistance provided under the previous Government
programmes was inadequate and led to the improper construction of toilets,
which slowly became dysfunctional,” the NITI Aayog report states.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Budgetary allocation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to Accountability Initiative, allocations for
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin) increased over threefold from Rs. 2,850 crore in
FY 2014-15 to Rs. 9,000 crore in FY 2016-17. Part of this jump is due to the
introduction of the SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission) cess in November 2015.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Behavior Change<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Behaviour change is a key priority of the Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan as sanitation is a behavioural issue, central government says. “It
involves a change of mindset among people to stop open defecation and to
adopt safe sanitation practices.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But numbers tell a different story. Lesser funds are now
being spent on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to Accountability Initiative, construction of
Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) accounted for 97 per cent of the total
expenditure between April 2015 and February 2016. IEC accounted for only 1 per
cent of total expenditure. This is a 3 percentage point drop from FY 2014-15.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Expenditure on IEC reduced from Rs. 175 crore in 2013-14 to
Rs. 109 crore in 2015-16, government conveyed in response to a parliament
question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Water in toilets</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OFsAQVTMdIvXvV5YgqAwpypPz8LYSw7hnKc7eUS2S26A7HLowimdWP_Y7uE6St4-GoMiLk9Ghun42HU1gzNuFa_n87wFb-lAkubBP8xwlLpe0ukbiNLiF6fu4bOz08Ixopd7imdoeiM/s1600/Clean+toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OFsAQVTMdIvXvV5YgqAwpypPz8LYSw7hnKc7eUS2S26A7HLowimdWP_Y7uE6St4-GoMiLk9Ghun42HU1gzNuFa_n87wFb-lAkubBP8xwlLpe0ukbiNLiF6fu4bOz08Ixopd7imdoeiM/s640/Clean+toilet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation says that
adequate availability of water for toilets is also a concern. In rural India,
42.5 per cent of households were found to have access to water for use in the
toilet compared to 88 per cent in urban India, Swachhta Status report found.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How many districts and villages have eliminated Open
Defecation?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As of August 2016, only 17 of the 650 districts have been
declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) by the government. Of the six lakh plus
villages in India, 54,732 were declared ODF as of 31st March 2016. These
figures are sourced from responses to parliament questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE THE HINDU<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-48312702809635612182016-09-01T10:11:00.002+03:002016-09-01T10:11:25.261+03:00Women, girls spend 200 million hours collecting water: UNICEF<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_Tqo7YkqqIDe2JhmhcyMRhHWh389jGnSxZyuZlpNFo8rC8YBwu03zz8_Gq-pC_DWGZGBeYDNPHyTuLD6itvsn5w2fjNgOlvFOfoMNfKg_Rr9ysWPCRuKjL49F0OfF1T-e8cr8cEwS_U/s1600/water+collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_Tqo7YkqqIDe2JhmhcyMRhHWh389jGnSxZyuZlpNFo8rC8YBwu03zz8_Gq-pC_DWGZGBeYDNPHyTuLD6itvsn5w2fjNgOlvFOfoMNfKg_Rr9ysWPCRuKjL49F0OfF1T-e8cr8cEwS_U/s640/water+collection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Women and girls across the world collectively spend about
200 million hours daily collecting water which is a "colossal waste"
of their valuable time, the UN children's agency has said of the activity which
is a daily routine for millions of girls in India.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As <a href="http://www.worldwaterweek.org/">World Water week</a> kicked off earlier this week, the United
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) highlighted the opportunity cost from a lack
of access to water disproportionately falls on women and girls who collectively
spend as much as 200 million hours - or more than 22,800 years - every day
collecting this vital resource.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Just imagine: 200 million hours is 8.3 million days,
or over 22,800 years," UNICEF's global head of water, sanitation and
hygiene Sanjay Wijesekera said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It would be as if a woman started with her empty
bucket in the Stone Age and didn't arrive home with water until 2016. Think how
much the world has advanced in that time. Think how much women could have
achieved in that time," he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"When water is not on premises and needs to be
collected, it's our women and girls who are mostly paying with their time and
lost opportunities," he added. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <a href="http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/">UN's Sustainable Development Goal for water and sanitation </a>calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable
drinking water by 2030. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
UNICEF said in this regard, the first step is providing
everyone with a basic service within a 30-minute round trip, and the long term
goal is to ensure everyone has safe water available at home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, UN estimates are that in sub-Saharan Africa for 29
per cent of the population, improved drinking water sources are 30 minutes or
more away. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Asia, the numbers are 21 minutes in rural areas and 19
minutes in urban areas. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
UNICEF added that when water is not piped to the home, the
burden of fetching it falls disproportionately on women and children,
especially girls. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A study of 24 sub-Saharan countries found that when the
collection time is more than 30 minutes, an estimated 3.36 million children and
13.54 million adult females were responsible for water collection. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Malawi, the UN estimates that women who collected water
spent 54 minutes on average, while men spent only 6 minutes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The UN agency noted that for women, the opportunity costs of
collecting water are high, with far reaching effects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcbtJl_aeNJ2ZYugFrNc4b-DjYSXmLGAmQcZTygUZeQC7Ixz87OUiLNp6YwEaUqFqR9GFu4zPXWMO1uE0YkAqbB4OPcOJoVH2fOP9J17zflYc-5EcCmV1JsHOM3nwl775DWI9jg4_Ov4/s1600/collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcbtJl_aeNJ2ZYugFrNc4b-DjYSXmLGAmQcZTygUZeQC7Ixz87OUiLNp6YwEaUqFqR9GFu4zPXWMO1uE0YkAqbB4OPcOJoVH2fOP9J17zflYc-5EcCmV1JsHOM3nwl775DWI9jg4_Ov4/s640/collection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It considerably shortens the time they have available
to spend with their families, on child care, other household
tasks, or even in leisure activities. For both boys and girls, water collection
can take time away from their education and sometimes even prevent their
attending school altogether," UNICEF said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When water is not available at home, even if it is collected
from a safe source, the fact that it has to be transported and stored increases
the risk that it is faecally contaminated by the time it is drunk, it said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This in turn increases the risk of diarrhoeal disease, which
is the fourth leading cause of death among children under five and a leading
cause of chronic malnutrition, or stunting, which affects 159 million children
worldwide. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More than 300,000 children under 5 die annually from
diarrhoeal diseases due to poor sanitation, poor hygiene, or unsafe drinking
water - over 800 per day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No matter where you look, access to clean drinking
water makes a difference in the lives of people," said Wijesekera. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
"The needs are clear; the goals are clear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/women-girls-spend-200-mln-hours-collecting-water-unicef-116083000183_1.html">BUSINESS STANDARD</a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-29969654966723964492016-08-26T10:15:00.002+03:002016-08-26T10:15:15.054+03:00Poor sanitation huge barrier to a better future for Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh673ux5Fb-ZLPZyJT-QZqC5P_ATwx-8NdhXO9rep1iYrmzq_25qC7wEoQKGio7zrIYbAqRbO_mIKnn1h-sPw_sKe0aNa4hoA3sC7NCTJjmsXqcl95uofzIWr7c4UT4pR-Go1Gt6Uqfi9I/s1600/dirty+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh673ux5Fb-ZLPZyJT-QZqC5P_ATwx-8NdhXO9rep1iYrmzq_25qC7wEoQKGio7zrIYbAqRbO_mIKnn1h-sPw_sKe0aNa4hoA3sC7NCTJjmsXqcl95uofzIWr7c4UT4pR-Go1Gt6Uqfi9I/s640/dirty+water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Africa is a continent of astonishing potential. But if it is
to build the future its citizens deserve, we have to see increased effort to
remove the barriers holding it back. None is greater than poor sanitation - a
shadow hanging over the lives and prospects of hundreds of millions of people
on the continent and across the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nearly one billion people globally are forced to defecate in
the open. As many have to live with inadequate sanitation. Both situations lead
to the contamination of water and food and the spread of disease. The costs –
human and economic – are huge which is why it is so disappointing that the
Millennium Development Goal on sanitation was the one furthest from being
achieved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The impact on health of this failure is enormous. Diarrheal
diseases, caused overwhelmingly by poor sanitation and unsafe water, remains
one of the top ten causes of death worldwide according to the WHO, killing 1.5
million people in 2012.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The damage from a lack of sanitation goes far beyond health.
The lack of toilets puts the personal safety of girls and women at risk. It’s
one of the major reasons why so many girls drop out of school, robbing them of
an education and their communities of their talents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not just a human tragedy but a huge economic burden on
already hard-pressed countries. New research prepared by LIXIL and Oxford
Economics has put the annual cost of poor sanitation for low and middle income
countries at $222.9 billion. These cumulative costs include those from early
loss of life, providing health care and the impact on productivity of sickness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is the largest countries like India, the research shows,
which shoulder the highest national cost burden. But if you look at these costs
nation-by nation as a share of GDP to work out their impact on a society, then
countries from sub-Saharan Africa make up half the top ten. In Niger, poor
sanitation costs 2.7 per cent of GDP and the figure is nearly one per cent across the
continent as a whole. Africa simply can’t afford this loss. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_JeCSk7_ZnjV0nuRuRgEiIb5BADLCxtl1A6tU1_vhAY42JqUofJ_i41CAO9_n0hyphenhyphen0QxoMA5GBTFym_KlbqsldeLLq6gB62tGL99s239-T3w1jPunhgBAgRy0g6IHynh6dFwfvl5Z1rU/s1600/sick+child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_JeCSk7_ZnjV0nuRuRgEiIb5BADLCxtl1A6tU1_vhAY42JqUofJ_i41CAO9_n0hyphenhyphen0QxoMA5GBTFym_KlbqsldeLLq6gB62tGL99s239-T3w1jPunhgBAgRy0g6IHynh6dFwfvl5Z1rU/s640/sick+child.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even more worrying is that the research shows these annual
costs for Africa have risen by 24.5 per cent in the last five years and now stand at
over $19 billion. It also underlines the terrible toll poor sanitation is
taking across the continent by revealing that premature deaths account for 75 per cent of these total costs in Africa compared to just 55 per cent globally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is why sanitation and hygiene must again figure high on
the agenda [this week] as Japanese and African heads of state gather in Nairobi
for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development and in Stockholm
as businesses, political leaders and others gather for World Water Week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This complex challenge is made more difficult because
sanitation solutions used in developed world cannot be transplanted to the
slums or rural areas of Africa. The infrastructure is too costly to build and
maintain and too wasteful of resources. Water across many parts of the
continent, for example, is already scarce and becoming scarcer because of
climate change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is not all bleak news. Not long ago Bill Gates rightly
said not many of the smartest people were involved in finding sanitation
solutions for those in low income countries. That’s no longer the case, thanks
in part to the role he has played in pushing it up the global agenda. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am proud that LIXIL is bringing all its experience as a
world-leader in water technology to help find solutions. With a wide variety of
partners, we are developing affordable and effective solutions which will meet
the needs of poorest communities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We introduced, for example, the cost effective and hygienic
Safe Toilet (SaTo) products in 2013 and over one million have now been
installed in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean for as little as $2 dollars a unit.
They are helping transform sanitation and such is the demand and need, we aim
to have installed 20 million by 2020.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkR_GCbLTJUEUNBD046gqKm3jhRq5I5jzWy7fLcA8lQ3mzudJHO2bMjpIUS95HGwBkau4-Yj_ZlZhk9SsRKmAltLBp7ku_6sc7NW3vqpUYr9wZ4iCWZ1HkVkTZErULnRvt4dY_csLQac/s1600/SaTo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkR_GCbLTJUEUNBD046gqKm3jhRq5I5jzWy7fLcA8lQ3mzudJHO2bMjpIUS95HGwBkau4-Yj_ZlZhk9SsRKmAltLBp7ku_6sc7NW3vqpUYr9wZ4iCWZ1HkVkTZErULnRvt4dY_csLQac/s640/SaTo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: #888888; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Co-inventor Jim McHale
(right) field tests a new model of the SaTo</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Considerable progress has been made in recent years across
the industry in recognising the challenge. But there is no time to waste. Every
year the cost in human misery and lost prosperity keeps rising. Overcoming this
challenge requires even greater effort and co-operation from governments,
businesses, and civil society.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Governments must commit to national sanitation strategy with
stretching but achievable targets backed by increased funding – public, private
and a mix of both. National efforts must also include a new emphasis on education
so the citizen understands the need to use and look after sanitation facilities
when they are provided. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Innovation and partnership are absolutely critical. We need
more innovation in technology and delivery so we find new, affordable and
sustainable ways of bringing sanitation to those at the bottom of the pyramid.
This will be encouraged by more collaboration and public-private partnerships
so knowledge and experience is shared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are exciting developments going on in Africa and round
the world to provide sanitation to the communities who need it most. By
stepping up our collective efforts, we will remove a huge barrier to a better
future for this continent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE CNBCAFRICA</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-7221699436359955832016-08-16T09:40:00.000+03:002016-08-16T09:40:18.807+03:00Glitz and glamour as Sulabh International celebrates Independence Day <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyWoQSSCb59dloJ0HVLuuVamCkV0Wos6to3kwPoBoMrf1xop5LXs1F5gF8yJdMvsY1Ee-uVth5cIEO_XkIVtv7bYV1u8G2OUfLmMH3fE7lvc75UCqL-u2Rn50j1wF5H7Er1k4I_KCfXk/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyWoQSSCb59dloJ0HVLuuVamCkV0Wos6to3kwPoBoMrf1xop5LXs1F5gF8yJdMvsY1Ee-uVth5cIEO_XkIVtv7bYV1u8G2OUfLmMH3fE7lvc75UCqL-u2Rn50j1wF5H7Er1k4I_KCfXk/s640/DSC_0233.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyAHsPAH4n3ILW3aFw6qDxdiem04GZVBKFGEhXfDex_1LHnRMLKIXAICdhqVu5js6t_nzssjTWn1zWs3ZAgqKcpLj347VZKxV6rZxglRMeAJM9schwyVlddz1l6KBTKRhoaSWq-4fluE/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyAHsPAH4n3ILW3aFw6qDxdiem04GZVBKFGEhXfDex_1LHnRMLKIXAICdhqVu5js6t_nzssjTWn1zWs3ZAgqKcpLj347VZKxV6rZxglRMeAJM9schwyVlddz1l6KBTKRhoaSWq-4fluE/s640/DSC_0247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXy4buvs9qtO9iWrgm2X1feFJzdQccgt-_2IWJI2CykNIBmDRfdnNwRpYxBag9Lf00ToXix-kCiNDeF5I8YfyW9la6MX8qEW6aFgNqdkCGlet19TKW4S0_YJnvHAg4kKEsTIhnYP6PfQ/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXy4buvs9qtO9iWrgm2X1feFJzdQccgt-_2IWJI2CykNIBmDRfdnNwRpYxBag9Lf00ToXix-kCiNDeF5I8YfyW9la6MX8qEW6aFgNqdkCGlet19TKW4S0_YJnvHAg4kKEsTIhnYP6PfQ/s640/DSC_0260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh014GFfYp616wp3h0gVLe-MixB57UDtpx51sNeWJbusFwd4-SBZFwNKlc6EW7vRKCp-Qfo8ION75KVQlhgJDDdWBgS_HZA1Ia1dT0NynYrF0x4AIo2HVGG-kenpV7__OuVy2FIiVlsH_E/s1600/DSC_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh014GFfYp616wp3h0gVLe-MixB57UDtpx51sNeWJbusFwd4-SBZFwNKlc6EW7vRKCp-Qfo8ION75KVQlhgJDDdWBgS_HZA1Ia1dT0NynYrF0x4AIo2HVGG-kenpV7__OuVy2FIiVlsH_E/s640/DSC_0268.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhYiRtvHO6KX2RuI8NzMCM9eryxuoiqY_uR8JcTWspiLtgQGvZnX6vDyjbffuxsHKGzG2bJD7Bw2-eeoNlafXy_DBMgRoQ7UjSpQFKqZOPiJ0sOh90HcbfmChZzVHqrG-VDvVisvMQvc/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhYiRtvHO6KX2RuI8NzMCM9eryxuoiqY_uR8JcTWspiLtgQGvZnX6vDyjbffuxsHKGzG2bJD7Bw2-eeoNlafXy_DBMgRoQ7UjSpQFKqZOPiJ0sOh90HcbfmChZzVHqrG-VDvVisvMQvc/s640/DSC_0274.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjACUkkq6cmv79wtyzbxeXjlhbaQitplNOMRhXZ6jci0H2NDd3CWQsC0Js2erDpeT09sT3jJCr07VvfKlaLdKhrNwfRDdcWH3YTJvO5mtOfvQRNv-B369fugR9Z3vRlO_yTOYX8fctnk/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjACUkkq6cmv79wtyzbxeXjlhbaQitplNOMRhXZ6jci0H2NDd3CWQsC0Js2erDpeT09sT3jJCr07VvfKlaLdKhrNwfRDdcWH3YTJvO5mtOfvQRNv-B369fugR9Z3vRlO_yTOYX8fctnk/s640/DSC_0278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUixlTomASqjoddx3whnXks0iF7zYAowkx3Y2WQuJ-ODM4Ut6I2oc_Gl9AhQcOtzICthvbDjoKINFi787JV7AvZrCsJkKAVuB3uis8xRcJM1oPi_nP4R2RbrsagwiJGVJk4Wb1Qqwoxs/s1600/DSC_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUixlTomASqjoddx3whnXks0iF7zYAowkx3Y2WQuJ-ODM4Ut6I2oc_Gl9AhQcOtzICthvbDjoKINFi787JV7AvZrCsJkKAVuB3uis8xRcJM1oPi_nP4R2RbrsagwiJGVJk4Wb1Qqwoxs/s640/DSC_0285.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFajvT7UIT-48vlyWBT8X9Dzo7OX-naoSrph6veMxrFL0TwJ6Cgp4yg4BRVE4Ry6p5rkU3FaLyRPKeU5-LA6m6qbwclQZ-UMBPVF3B5PMkkD69F1AyBwH7JEYsPVYlAvihAjDnsULY3a4/s1600/DSC_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFajvT7UIT-48vlyWBT8X9Dzo7OX-naoSrph6veMxrFL0TwJ6Cgp4yg4BRVE4Ry6p5rkU3FaLyRPKeU5-LA6m6qbwclQZ-UMBPVF3B5PMkkD69F1AyBwH7JEYsPVYlAvihAjDnsULY3a4/s640/DSC_0299.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KzW3cZa05SnRPmQozZta6drPzq_1BLGnxtCf9h1ky-ohfCAs83yYUmet8oU_uObSBGVsYr39AO2LQ14FV79peUyqbwq-GHgZ-Dt4sGHoX4FpiE3Q66lHLWPo1cqFtQAZlLj262Q0w0Q/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KzW3cZa05SnRPmQozZta6drPzq_1BLGnxtCf9h1ky-ohfCAs83yYUmet8oU_uObSBGVsYr39AO2LQ14FV79peUyqbwq-GHgZ-Dt4sGHoX4FpiE3Q66lHLWPo1cqFtQAZlLj262Q0w0Q/s640/DSC_0313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe-aYUQvFZ15nYtpOlTDL_NJTaPlkLRE0WN1r7fwsmI4dENy9XYHZv9J0BvdUW6wyQqiInVnp7Ri6V23WbMwPrsrOnsWUMX1suMa8PNWAmVbzozyDiiosBCYFYuNbzDi4IZse25gpjRk/s1600/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe-aYUQvFZ15nYtpOlTDL_NJTaPlkLRE0WN1r7fwsmI4dENy9XYHZv9J0BvdUW6wyQqiInVnp7Ri6V23WbMwPrsrOnsWUMX1suMa8PNWAmVbzozyDiiosBCYFYuNbzDi4IZse25gpjRk/s640/DSC_0318.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GA1Rj3MSyz2LDtbtYezsrsxhNfx-viep-JJja2lSufvrQCiKayBpS3YCY6GAocrioXXzRgj7yJjgvNJaYo1gA4pgx7NO_RGofQMQH3sEa5ehf7olIfzwnkIj8vqD5B7pMOgU3L1_4-E/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GA1Rj3MSyz2LDtbtYezsrsxhNfx-viep-JJja2lSufvrQCiKayBpS3YCY6GAocrioXXzRgj7yJjgvNJaYo1gA4pgx7NO_RGofQMQH3sEa5ehf7olIfzwnkIj8vqD5B7pMOgU3L1_4-E/s640/DSC_0323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQN35X4HsU9iyyMfuvkk4jQIAYYuG1RmgZbvYJze7mZNHen9GKcWGE_gmzx0FAFp5Ii4tihD2YdbAea1rqF77wJUzFIom5clgOtKmpPjq1qY0ydLBe0Doyt7hkbqO0YDikJPkrxMPBUY/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQN35X4HsU9iyyMfuvkk4jQIAYYuG1RmgZbvYJze7mZNHen9GKcWGE_gmzx0FAFp5Ii4tihD2YdbAea1rqF77wJUzFIom5clgOtKmpPjq1qY0ydLBe0Doyt7hkbqO0YDikJPkrxMPBUY/s640/DSC_0343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpS9BCE33l1fnCG_w-rYKb5ZJjY0pRJlTWTdmOeGy-zcsdteSKeeaZNz8yBDmenZzRWyA7RfR1bHUfG5tjfCuhVrJh-AOmF9bb0T6aqB7WxcQGXj9vt0lbsvqaYE2ZdGaraLRYLzzEEh8/s1600/DSC_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpS9BCE33l1fnCG_w-rYKb5ZJjY0pRJlTWTdmOeGy-zcsdteSKeeaZNz8yBDmenZzRWyA7RfR1bHUfG5tjfCuhVrJh-AOmF9bb0T6aqB7WxcQGXj9vt0lbsvqaYE2ZdGaraLRYLzzEEh8/s640/DSC_0345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBarYKwnUTWA5pHyDr3mYHvyI_IwN8kI8IyPRMIqaOKYE5IDIuG4leO5bMahjdfaqRCqZl-8Z3AbExV1VH0OMYv7qfyQOyS4bfBr9kMYx9v_b0fT6Qw6TirxxH-_gxN6xqmkycIBdlwY/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBarYKwnUTWA5pHyDr3mYHvyI_IwN8kI8IyPRMIqaOKYE5IDIuG4leO5bMahjdfaqRCqZl-8Z3AbExV1VH0OMYv7qfyQOyS4bfBr9kMYx9v_b0fT6Qw6TirxxH-_gxN6xqmkycIBdlwY/s640/DSC_0236.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskDYYqyvJ8xh2T2y59_ljPU9zJ72ooN4Jcg5nCpZcj3cl2vzNYvI-3m5FHFZjbRkAxi6scDV-gQ-cTFM223yxx8TVpWdzRxB0Z1lZ2ihBGzRzsf8mqsVqnDi9-NfCL3u2mgHGdBg5BxE/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskDYYqyvJ8xh2T2y59_ljPU9zJ72ooN4Jcg5nCpZcj3cl2vzNYvI-3m5FHFZjbRkAxi6scDV-gQ-cTFM223yxx8TVpWdzRxB0Z1lZ2ihBGzRzsf8mqsVqnDi9-NfCL3u2mgHGdBg5BxE/s640/DSC_0229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-61862864777567671172016-08-09T11:59:00.000+03:002016-08-09T11:59:06.330+03:00Adding hygiene to school curriculum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBoo0ST6t3C1TpBjn7E5TTb9dagn_h-BArza90OEe_FS0nT-jsYmSgUi7Q7UcvmjWkRC5e5l11BxjojOHuZJMlBAz5M-8Tpi6avzAbpzfpBUUF2XyXSea0CCQ6lSd-Jbnm6XhuFtgWyQ/s1600/keeping+school+clean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBoo0ST6t3C1TpBjn7E5TTb9dagn_h-BArza90OEe_FS0nT-jsYmSgUi7Q7UcvmjWkRC5e5l11BxjojOHuZJMlBAz5M-8Tpi6avzAbpzfpBUUF2XyXSea0CCQ6lSd-Jbnm6XhuFtgWyQ/s640/keeping+school+clean.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As part of its nationwide hygiene and sanitation campaign
Dettol Banega Swachh India, RB India and State Government of Telangana have
joined hands to launch Hygiene Curriculum in 200 schools across four districts
in Telangana.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At a launch event in Hyderabad, Health Minister of
Telangana, C. Laxma Reddy launched the Hygiene Curriculum in the state and also
unveiled its e-version. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Developed by RB India in partnership with XSEED and
Butterfly Edufield, the Hygiene Curriculum has been developed in four languages
– Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu - and comprises student workbooks, teachers’
manual and innovative teaching aids. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The curriculum consists of 45 lessons which will be
delivered over a period of 3 years and covers 5 modules like Personal Hygiene,
Hygiene at Home, and Hygiene at School, Hygiene in the Neighbourhood and
Hygiene during Illness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The curriculum will be used in 10,000 schools across the
states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar and Tamil Nadu and aims to educate 2.5 million children. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Telangana alone, more than 400 teachers across 200
schools have been trained to conduct Behaviour Change Communication sessions
for school children from Class I to V. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In line with WASH delivery model, each school will also be
provided consumable such as soaps; liquid had wash, towels, buckets etc. To
facilitate an effective implementation of this program, Academy of Gandhian
Studies - Tirupati, Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI) - Hyderabad,
Mandal Education Officer and District Education Officers have been actively
involved in the Project with support from members of the local Gram Panchayats.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Furthermore, to assess the impact of the hygiene curriculum
programme, stringent hygiene indicators have been devised as part of the
initiative.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On this occasion Nitish Kapoor, Regional Director – RB South
Asia said, “We understand the importance of driving behavior change for a
cleaner and healthier India and also the role children can play in this
journey. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are the future of the country and it is important to
inculcate good habits in them from the beginning. Today we are proud to partner
with State Government of Telangana to formally launch the Hygiene Curriculum as
a part of “Dettol Banega Swachh India” initiative. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are quite positive about the long term impact this will
have on school children across the state in driving the nation towards Swachh
Bharat.” The national hygiene curriculum programme has so far covered over
5,000 schools across 6 states.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE: THE HANS INDIA<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-21452238170020107632016-08-04T10:15:00.001+03:002016-08-04T10:15:31.616+03:00Open defecators caught with pants down given civic lessons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnlWH_jH1m81nXetbDSv9IuelLU7fEvDWQvEalOI93LgdJbR_6kdnPWyZSKOZjewnnCLKWCMoIe6kp5qqxh3fFo4AuRdcKh0w9FT-6TE_sxcldzL8EwMOHvyMPxhHu1d8jyvfntG1_H4/s1600/ODF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnlWH_jH1m81nXetbDSv9IuelLU7fEvDWQvEalOI93LgdJbR_6kdnPWyZSKOZjewnnCLKWCMoIe6kp5qqxh3fFo4AuRdcKh0w9FT-6TE_sxcldzL8EwMOHvyMPxhHu1d8jyvfntG1_H4/s640/ODF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the deadline for making villages `open defecation free’
is fast approaching , officials in Faridabad have adopted a novel method to
ensure it is not missed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They wake up in the dead of night, rush to remote villages
and catch red-handed people defecating under bushes and open farmlands. They
then take help of the village elders to teach them civic lessons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are 116 panchayats in Faridabad district alone, out of
which 47 have woman sarpanchs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The district administration of Faridabad set the deadline of
August 15 for making these 47 villages free from open defecation. A detailed
presentation was made by senior state government officers before all 116
sarpanchs in Faridabad recently.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After being educated on how open defecation causes health
hazard and how cleanliness improves the quality of life, the sarpanches took
oath to make their villages free from open defecation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iqY07RJXQQU0V78CMYXZfMTA4i1xyEPFffGMrjhQHNHL58kpXfgEd-Ut4Y53lqfX2CDbvaVipwZAjQI_guep1QoigQ7mvcEyaPX0jk80eUX997F1KvH3H4vjhOyogUESFBPxblgy2Ig/s1600/Gram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iqY07RJXQQU0V78CMYXZfMTA4i1xyEPFffGMrjhQHNHL58kpXfgEd-Ut4Y53lqfX2CDbvaVipwZAjQI_guep1QoigQ7mvcEyaPX0jk80eUX997F1KvH3H4vjhOyogUESFBPxblgy2Ig/s640/Gram.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two dates were finalised . For 47 villages headed by women
sarpanches, August 15, 2016 is the deadline. For the remaining villages headed
by male sarpanches, November 1, 2016 is the deadline for making the villages
free from open defecation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We educate people in our village to use toilets and do not
go for open for defecation”, said Kamlesh, Sarpanch of Samaipur village. “Some
people living on rent in our village mostly defecate in the open. But we have
told them that by August 15 our village has to be free from open defecation”,
she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But with the deadline approaching, officials cannot take a
chance. They started visiting the villages open defecation is prevalent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Government officers hold meetings at the spot where people
defecate in the open. “It becomes difficult for villagers to meet due to the
bad smell. We make them realize the bad effects of open defecation on their
health”, said a senior state government officer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I visit such villages early in the morning, especially
areas where people defecate in the open. Yes, I do see some people with bottles
of water, defecating in the open”, said Upendra Singh, district consultant,
Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I and some elders in the village advise such people,”
Upendra said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts4j4EQl0rA99lkDz1x0f55ZXlAi_8F1IFbk91h9mwQwEuUWCuBFVg8qvtv4WCgfc8V6kjP7i0SKL-TiHLV6WLSg3H6BctqMdL_Q_dbA4BlRWzwGaTIlBH_FB4dMrHXORuLSv-kNNCm0/s1600/civic+class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts4j4EQl0rA99lkDz1x0f55ZXlAi_8F1IFbk91h9mwQwEuUWCuBFVg8qvtv4WCgfc8V6kjP7i0SKL-TiHLV6WLSg3H6BctqMdL_Q_dbA4BlRWzwGaTIlBH_FB4dMrHXORuLSv-kNNCm0/s640/civic+class.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A civic lesson in progress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An old lady Ramvati, 70, a resident of Samaipur village,
remains deployed with a lathi in her hands at a particular point in the village
where people defecate. “When people come for defecation, my mother questions
them and sends them back home,” said her son Harish. “ She advises them to use
the toilet and the people follow,” he added.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“ We are confident that even some panchayats headed by male
sarpanches will be made free from open defecation by August 15 though their
deadline is November 1”, a senior officer said. “The poor who do not have
toilets are getting financial assistance for constructing toilets,” the
officials said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE HINDUSTAN TIMES</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-49609376217940844552016-07-28T16:00:00.003+03:002016-07-28T16:00:56.306+03:00Graphene-based sheets make dirty water drinkable simply and cheaply<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1QRy3riJV2S21DLK6vefmW9_KmiWoODR2bM6MOyHqmz6NbkZtY5w1kgdF28MX4m-Um5PMo2gLDaJJEdMiohBCcbkGGc3ZlL4dLSyRPeE2DDSpUtkrY2QFm7wwci_SxLzEq89hOTAHeE/s1600/new+tech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1QRy3riJV2S21DLK6vefmW9_KmiWoODR2bM6MOyHqmz6NbkZtY5w1kgdF28MX4m-Um5PMo2gLDaJJEdMiohBCcbkGGc3ZlL4dLSyRPeE2DDSpUtkrY2QFm7wwci_SxLzEq89hOTAHeE/s640/new+tech.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: MarrSans, Helvetica, "Arial Black", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">A new system of bi-layered biofoam may provide the means to purify vast bodies of water simply by overlaying them with sheets of this new material</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Engineers at the Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL)
have developed graphene-based biofoam sheets that can be laid on dirty or salty
dams and ponds to produce clean drinking water, using the power of the sun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This new technique could be a cheap and simple way to help provide fresh water
in countries where large areas of water are contaminated with suspended
particles of dirt and other floating matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The biofilm is created as a two-layered structure consisting
of two nanocellulose layers produced by bacteria. The lower layer contains
pristine cellulose, while the top layer also contains graphene oxide, which
absorbs sunlight and produces heat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The system works by drawing up water from underneath like a
sponge where it then evaporates in the topmost layer, leaving behind any
suspended particulates or salts. Fresh water then condenses on the top, where
it can be drawn off and used.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The process is extremely simple," said Srikanth
Singamaneni, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials at
WUSTL. "The beauty is that the nanoscale cellulose fiber network produced
by bacteria has excellent ability to move the water from the bulk to the evaporative
surface while minimizing the heat coming down and the entire thing is produced
in one shot."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whilst this is a novel use of graphene, the researchers
claim that the process used to make their bi-layered biofoam is actually the
most innovative part of the whole experiment. Analogous to the process an
oyster uses to create a pearl, where a small kernel of material is continually
overlaid with layers of a fluid coating that eventually hardens, the bacteria
used in the new material produces layers of nanocellulose fibers peppered with
particles of graphene oxide flakes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"While we are culturing the bacteria for the cellulose,
we added the graphene oxide flakes into the medium itself," said Qisheng
Jiang, a graduate student at WUSTL. "The graphene oxide becomes embedded
as the bacteria produce the cellulose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At a certain point along the process, we stop, remove the
medium with the graphene oxide and reintroduce fresh medium. That produces the
next layer of our foam. The interface is very strong; mechanically, it is quite
robust."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The researchers also claim that the material is
exceptionally light, cheap to make, and can easily be produced in vast
quantities. And, unlike even exceptionally simple systems designed to do
similar things, the graphene biofoam material is simply laid over a body of
water and does not require systems of pipes or energy to run the water through
for decontamination. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Cellulose can be produced on a massive scale,"
said Singamaneni. "And graphene oxide is extremely cheap — people can
produce tons, truly tons, of it. Both materials going into this are highly
scalable. So one can imagine making huge sheets of the biofoam."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The production system used to create the biofoam also has
the ability to include other nanostructure materials that destroy bacteria and
clean the water more thoroughly, allowing it to produce safe drinking water
from almost any source. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We hope that for countries where there is ample
sunlight, such as India, you'll be able to take some dirty water, evaporate it
using our material, and collect fresh water," said Singamaneni. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/graphene-oxide-water-purification-wustl/44586/">GIZMAG</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-2617331232426339982016-07-28T14:14:00.000+03:002016-07-28T14:14:04.073+03:00No medals for sanitation at Rio Olympics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ3phsOPPlexZmBVBU2n-3xvrXIyj4MFqWRteYkeIOCVpryvFiqwu8YnfQqTI8O9-o1dMjB1FFO891FflKAkOy3guhucOyrPb05RGbnjFizf7ZFigfuejkekU5YO_B29vZRAfr_TGudk/s1600/RIO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ3phsOPPlexZmBVBU2n-3xvrXIyj4MFqWRteYkeIOCVpryvFiqwu8YnfQqTI8O9-o1dMjB1FFO891FflKAkOy3guhucOyrPb05RGbnjFizf7ZFigfuejkekU5YO_B29vZRAfr_TGudk/s640/RIO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The biggest frustration at the Olympic Games, to be
inaugurated in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro on August 5, is the failure
to meet environmental sanitation targets and promises in the city’s beaches,
rivers, lakes and lagoons.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opportunity to give a decisive push to the cleanup of
Rio’s emblematic Guanabara Bay and its lagoons has been lost. The drive against
waterborne pollution was part of the proposal which won the city the right to
host the 2016 Summer Olympics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This failure may hardly register in the awareness of
residents and visitors, given the higher visibility of the urban transport
projects and the revitalisation of Rio’s central district.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What happened confirms the national tradition of giving
sanitation low priority on the government agenda. So far only half the
Brazilian population has access to piped water, and only a small proportion of
transported water is treated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The environment pays no taxes and neither does it vote,
therefore it does not command the attention of our political leaders nor of
society as a whole,” complained biologist Mario Moscatelli, a well-known water
issues activist in Rio de Janeiro.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Olympic Park, which is at the heart of the Games of the
XXXI Olympiad, was built on the west side of the city on the shores of
Jacarepaguá lagoon, yet not even this body of water has been adequately
treated. Filthy water from rivers and streams continues to flow into it all the
time, Moscatelli told IPS.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwMXjaSClEZzzy70NipqRYt6X_35RhYfGOlmD09BwtE4N5UFudIdJo-4JhFXHnunRGDxYt4SxidxlyBDcnCCQ9cxgY8LfXfjTQ5bTErtMX0vUJg1YezaV_v-UGsI9vldcQAzlzzTm_70/s1600/polution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwMXjaSClEZzzy70NipqRYt6X_35RhYfGOlmD09BwtE4N5UFudIdJo-4JhFXHnunRGDxYt4SxidxlyBDcnCCQ9cxgY8LfXfjTQ5bTErtMX0vUJg1YezaV_v-UGsI9vldcQAzlzzTm_70/s640/polution.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the foreign Olympic athletes and spectators from
abroad will arrive in Rio at Antonio Carlos Jobim international airport, also
known as Galeão. Planes touch down here on the edge of one of the most polluted
parts of Guanabara bay, although visitors may not realise it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The airport , on the western tip of Ilha do Governador
(Governador Island), which was home to 212,754 people in 2010 according to the
official census, is close to canals
taking untreated effluent and rubbish from millions of people living on
the mainland, brought by rivers that are little more than open sewers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fundão canal can be glimpsed from the southbound highway
towards the city centre. It is full of raw sewage and bad smells in spite of
recent dredging, because it is still connected to the polluted Cunha canal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five rivers converge in the Cunha canal after crossing
densely populated areas including several “favelas” (shanty towns) and
industrial zones.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
North of Galeao airport, the fishing village of Tubiacanga
illustrates the ecological disaster in Guanabara Bay, which has a surface area
of 412 square kilometres and stretches from Copacabana beach in the west to
Itaipu (Niterói) in the east.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the narrowest point in the channel between Ilha do
Governador and the adjacent mainland city of Duque de Caxias, “there used to be
a depth of seven or eight metres; but now at low tide you can walk along with
the water only chest-high,” 66-year-old Souza, who has lived in Tubiacanga for
two-thirds of his life, told IPS.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Landfills, silting by rivers and rubbish tipping have all
reduced the depth of the bay, he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tubiacanga is at a meeting point of dirty water from tides
rising at the bay entrance, from several canals including Fundão, and from
rivers. Sediments and rubbish pile up in front of our village,” where the white
sandy beach has become a quagmire and rubbish dump over the past few decades,
Souza complained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e7shANGr6oaVoU1xdgJj9yMTSTLFmhXkLCmFVFMEQMNBXdxomtBfBXETak_tQ6AWAGtCl1dd8Vd_2bWNxgcJZ58QXuK6aPsD9S0Sb1yp_JVptZ1icqFQ2pOIuoBG1WGWBEWsQT8Sx3Y/s1600/boat-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e7shANGr6oaVoU1xdgJj9yMTSTLFmhXkLCmFVFMEQMNBXdxomtBfBXETak_tQ6AWAGtCl1dd8Vd_2bWNxgcJZ58QXuK6aPsD9S0Sb1yp_JVptZ1icqFQ2pOIuoBG1WGWBEWsQT8Sx3Y/s640/boat-beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guanabara Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Guanabara bay receives 90 tonnes daily of rubbish and 18,000
litres per second of untreated waste water, mainly via the 55 rivers and canals
that flow into it, according to Sergio Ricardo de Lima, an ecologist and
founder of the Bahia Viva (Living Bay) movement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rio’s Olympic bid announced a target of cleaning up 80
percent of the effluents reaching the bay. The actual proportion achieved was
55 percent, Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani said at a press conference with
foreign journalists on July 7.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I only believe in what I see: out of the 55 rivers in the
basin, 49 have become lifeless sewers,” said Moscatelli, voicing the scepticism
of environmentalists.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 80 percent target was not realistic; completely
decontaminating the bay would require 25 to 30 years and sanitation investments
equivalent to six billion dollars, André Correa, environment secretary for the
state of Rio de Janeiro, admitted on July 20 at the inauguration of an “eco
barrier” on the river Merití, one of the polluting waterways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The barriers are floating interconnected booms that are an emergency
measure to ensure that aquatic Olympic sports can take place in some parts in
the bay. Trash scooping vessels or “eco boats” collect the floating debris that
accumulates against them and send it for recycling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seventeen eco barriers have been promised, but these will be
woefully inadequate, and in any case they should be anchored where floating
garbage is most concentrated, like Tubiacanga, not close to the Guanabara Bay
entrance where water sports will be held, Lima complained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The barrier in the Merití River is suitably placed, in
Lima’s view, but it is “palliative action only.” The real solution is to
promote selective garbage collection at source, that is, in households, shops
and industries, and recycle as much solid waste as possible, as stipulated by a
2010 law.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At present only one percent of the garbage produced in the
Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region (which has a population of 12 million) is
recycled,” Lima said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFafFqaNLgoACCx7YAVMuTk5JGxapUSiUIGOpo__z-rpEUi4ALHgOaclBA4atA6qIVnbJc71QZiLUSwns-8jx1Wuo_A7StoOlD-xEfzuuUmedj8gYnyq9Rx5yGCO3wzeju_2rRzgYbrFM/s1600/lead3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFafFqaNLgoACCx7YAVMuTk5JGxapUSiUIGOpo__z-rpEUi4ALHgOaclBA4atA6qIVnbJc71QZiLUSwns-8jx1Wuo_A7StoOlD-xEfzuuUmedj8gYnyq9Rx5yGCO3wzeju_2rRzgYbrFM/s640/lead3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #888888; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Workers remove garbage collected by floating waste barriers at the Meriti polluted river that flows into the Guanabara bay, in Rio de Janeiro</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleaning up Guanabara Bay is a longstanding ambition. It was
the goal of a project begun in 1995 that has already cost the equivalent of
three billion dollars at the current exchange rate, but that has not prevented
environmental deterioration of local beaches and water resources.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eight wastewater treatment stations were built or expanded
to improve water quality. However, they have always operated well below
capacity, because the main drains needed to collect wastewater and deliver it
to the treatment stations have never been built, according to Lima.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pollution of the bay is exacerbated by oil spills. There is
a refinery and petrochemical hub on the banks of the lagoon in Duque de Caxias;
in addition, all along the Tubiacanga waterfront the bay is increasingly
crisscrossed by pipes carrying crude oil, refinery sub products and natural
gas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The effects of a large oil spill in January 2000 are still
felt today. It had a direct impact on Tubiacanga and on the fish catch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We fisher folk are the ones who suffer most from the
consequences of pollution, and who best know the bay; but we are not listened
to, we are penned in and threatened with extinction,” said Souza dos Santos,
who is encouraging his four sons to take up trades other than fishing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE IPS<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-25930031011286459922016-07-28T10:18:00.002+03:002016-07-28T10:18:23.595+03:00Nigeria: The need to revive compulsory sanitation exercise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY00BpKBoGzSLL7Doh8kApodW8s5s8A-a4gTqn5qd9PL16JxVBoVSOcmKVXYZfGVoyktWOVY8ftc6KIUKBskI6FySoWP4YwVX0XHe1ysqXvJd656IY8OTlMUCRK3xEAVjMdj_EP9O0kNU/s1600/sweep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY00BpKBoGzSLL7Doh8kApodW8s5s8A-a4gTqn5qd9PL16JxVBoVSOcmKVXYZfGVoyktWOVY8ftc6KIUKBskI6FySoWP4YwVX0XHe1ysqXvJd656IY8OTlMUCRK3xEAVjMdj_EP9O0kNU/s640/sweep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sanitary conditions in most urban cities and rural areas
have deteriorated due to unsustainable hygienic measures. It is for this reason
that experts have tasked local government authorities, institutions, agencies
and stakeholders to pay more attention to the issue of sanitation in their
surroundings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sustainable waste management, a precursor to good
sanitation, is still a mirage because the federal government is yet to start
the conversion of Nigeria's industrial, municipal and domestic waste to wealth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some stakeholders have identified revival of the compulsory
monthly sanitation exercise, where people are made to clean their environment
on a particular day of the month, as a step towards achieving a better and
cleaner environment in the markets, streets and homes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During President Muhammadu Buhari's first stint in
governance as a military head of state, he instituted the mandatory monthly
environmental sanitation exercise which took place from 7.00a.m. to 10.00a.m.
on every last Saturday of the month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Environmental sanitations, according to WHO are efforts or
activities aimed at maintaining a clean, safe and pleasant physical environment
through water supply, excreta and sewage disposal, solid waste disposal, and
ensuring the safety of the environment in all human settlements towards the
promotion of social, economic and physical well-being of all sections of the
population.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some residents who spoke to Daily Trust said the exercise,
which many clamour for its return, is presently being adopted in states like
Lagos and Edo and that it may go a long way in ensuring a cleaner environment
if adopted nationwide.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sule Ojonugwa,an educationist, said when the exercise was in
place, there were no indiscriminate refuse dumps on streets as it is now,
saying people were mindful of where they dump their wastes because they are
responsible for the cleaning of the environment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said if the federal government could adopt the exercise
even if it is on two or three hours basis on a set day, the environment will
look much cleaner and healthier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A trader in Jikwoyi, Hyacinth Ogbulonu, said though the
exercise is not being cherished by lots of traders because it is considered
half day for them, it will be a good one in checking people's attitude towards
waste disposal and cleanup.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdV4iSiXQaVORndXyWnWZ_NTOS6c9SnwoaEW0OVadvsCuPVgUzkDQZYCl2Ps7YyVW3GJCuL7VDzStCTEpwdwP0zBtoilNh32v1DeMXey9Z_9al9Urw8CDN3mPLUeENt5HK6WWSX7cDFl8/s1600/nigeria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdV4iSiXQaVORndXyWnWZ_NTOS6c9SnwoaEW0OVadvsCuPVgUzkDQZYCl2Ps7YyVW3GJCuL7VDzStCTEpwdwP0zBtoilNh32v1DeMXey9Z_9al9Urw8CDN3mPLUeENt5HK6WWSX7cDFl8/s640/nigeria.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ogbulonu noted that he takes out time to clear the gutter
around his shop, which also motivates his neighbours to do same, and at the end
they all get the place cleared.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The exercise can be revived and strict measures
imposed without restriction of movement, but the truth remains that it will be
more effective if movements are restricted," he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another trader, who simply gave her name as Jane, said if
government can bring back the exercise, it will be good because people will be
on ground to help government officials clean the environment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Coordinant-General of Environmental Ethics & Safety
Corps (ESCORP), Mr. Emenike Eme, told Daily Trust that the corps would always
stand for the enforcement of compulsory sanitation exercise nationwide.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eme noted that it is in the human nature for people not to
do what is expected rather they do that which they know will be inspected.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"If we know this and we don't want to enforce monthly
or regular sanitation exercise, we are not helping ourselves because if we
don't bring it back, diseases and infections will continue to increase in our
country," he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He pointed out that there is high resistant malaria caused
by mosquito bite, saying "with dirty environment, we will have more than
mosquitoes bite and then we will waste money attempting to cure."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9IagROMYEdhRup6VAF5Ezav366LHS5z5JJt6MdBx4hO0SYIZX8OOmHpDc8UU-S68-u6r4CsOLpNT6XvJcG-YgwcSuIZ-3sAt7RWcuqFSAbObXZ_mjF7IJCG1pZjowWr62V94ausFlH8/s1600/sanitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9IagROMYEdhRup6VAF5Ezav366LHS5z5JJt6MdBx4hO0SYIZX8OOmHpDc8UU-S68-u6r4CsOLpNT6XvJcG-YgwcSuIZ-3sAt7RWcuqFSAbObXZ_mjF7IJCG1pZjowWr62V94ausFlH8/s640/sanitation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All right thinking persons according to the coordinate
General, no matter their status in life or what excuse they have, should
consider the interest of the masses more important than any other thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Let us help ourselves and bring back the monthly
compulsory sanitation exercise," he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to a report tagged 'Conceptual Modelling of
Residents' Environmental Sanitation Behaviour in a Nigerian Metropolis' by a
lecturer with the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Oluwole Daramola, the
major determinant of residents' environmental sanitation behaviour was the
mandated environmental sanitation exercise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daramola said despite the positive contributions of the
monthly environmental sanitation exercise, residents need to know the
importance of daily environmental sanitation exercise, especially at the
household and neighbourhood levels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite the calls, the federal government is yet to make a
statement on whether the policy will be revived or not, but there are feelers
that work is in progress on the issue of sanitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE <a href="http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/environment/">DAILY TRUST</a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-38730609985657544432016-07-27T11:23:00.002+03:002016-07-27T11:26:33.954+03:00TANZANIA among top ten countries with greatest number of stunted children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivX7_rdI6J_oxXghITJjvBgJklUrbCNZJQcgD6IqYZA1edcvs2HzuteFNyVIQuo44ops3GlyGbFDraBUsrKAM6jIigIITqTDRzYCp_6_eKC-R2rrCJoN_R4-VqS4hw9_Lr-5Pfdt1Ox4/s1600/stunting.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivX7_rdI6J_oxXghITJjvBgJklUrbCNZJQcgD6IqYZA1edcvs2HzuteFNyVIQuo44ops3GlyGbFDraBUsrKAM6jIigIITqTDRzYCp_6_eKC-R2rrCJoN_R4-VqS4hw9_Lr-5Pfdt1Ox4/s640/stunting.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MASEMBE TAMBWE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TANZANIA now has 3,061,000 children who are stunted ranking
it the 10th country with the greatest number of stunted children, according to
a recent survey. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new survey that was conducted by WaterAid entitled
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Administrator/Downloads/caught_short_report_july2016%20(1).pdf">‘Caught short: How a lack of toilets and clean water contributes tomalnutrition’</a> released yesterday cited that Tanzania has 34.7 per cent of
stunted children which is a drop from 42 per cent in 2010.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The report also showed that the country now has 84 per cent
of its population without access to water and 44 per cent of its population
without access to a toilet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Countries in Africa that have outnumbered Tanzania include
Nigeria which ranks second after India with 10,321,000 stunted children,
Ethiopia with 5,822,000 and DRC with 5,072,000.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stunting not only makes children shorter for their age, but
affects their emotional, social and cognitive development, meaning their lives
and life chances are forever changed,” says Ms Barbara Frost, WaterAid’s Chief
Executive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Around the world, 159 million children under the age of five
are stunted – a consequence of malnutrition in the first two years of their
life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While malnutrition is mainly associated with a lack of food,
the new report highlights the major role a lack of access to clean water and
decent toilets plays in this global crisis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Almost 50 per cent of malnutrition cases are linked to
chronic diarrhoea caused by lack of clean water, decent sanitation and good
hygiene, including handwashing with soap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a child, experiencing five or more cases of diarrhoea
before the age of two can lead to stunting. Beyond this age, the effects are
largely irreversible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LpdsCMfkVr3UllyNFdnufxkwEAH52A9Zd_aqD6RdLQ3ZsPl9rIPtapChDoxUqbsucUcxX0j2ST-nL81eV8CuUpHLoIiI3wKMqfs6sUx8BNqJVYiBP9UO-DitvLG0mZJs-zbpkIaaZ2w/s1600/weighting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LpdsCMfkVr3UllyNFdnufxkwEAH52A9Zd_aqD6RdLQ3ZsPl9rIPtapChDoxUqbsucUcxX0j2ST-nL81eV8CuUpHLoIiI3wKMqfs6sUx8BNqJVYiBP9UO-DitvLG0mZJs-zbpkIaaZ2w/s640/weighting.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the first anniversary of the Sustainable Developmental
Goals approaches, WaterAid is calling on world leaders to uphold the
commitments they made to end hunger and malnutrition, and reach everyone
everywhere with clean water and sanitation by 2030.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good food, the focus of most malnutrition programmes, will
only get us halfway to the finishing line in addressing this crisis,” says Ms
Frost.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We need to ensure governments make clean water, decent
toilets and clean hands a priority in efforts to end malnutrition.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other calls made include Ministries of Health, Water,
Sanitation, Agriculture and Education must all coordinate their efforts to
tackle the underlying causes, as well as the effects, of malnutrition as well
as international institutions, researchers and civil society organisations must
collaborate to strengthen the evidence-base and understanding of how WASH and
nutrition are connected, and which approaches are most effective.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-92003278937997778212016-07-27T10:23:00.002+03:002016-07-27T10:23:12.821+03:00Is it sacrilege for upper castes to clean toilets?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KDI-kwkhz1iRXsL5oaG8SbaFxS5DX1FlKI8z0lUnpBCc0eJNAzXxZpHa-NSdcRuWVbaYkobGR_fJUcspXXk2U_qB9HLGsGm5cmIjzAal9V8hO8ApjHkxAkJ2l8Wq-elaaEsUEK-hguU/s1600/CLEANING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KDI-kwkhz1iRXsL5oaG8SbaFxS5DX1FlKI8z0lUnpBCc0eJNAzXxZpHa-NSdcRuWVbaYkobGR_fJUcspXXk2U_qB9HLGsGm5cmIjzAal9V8hO8ApjHkxAkJ2l8Wq-elaaEsUEK-hguU/s640/CLEANING.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; text-align: start;">For centuries we have thrust chores we regard to be unclean and socially humiliating on people of the lowest, most oppressed castes.<br /></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In urban India some imagine that caste demarcations have
become history. We need to only check the caste identity of those employed to
clean the toilets in our offices and homes to recognise how wrong they are. For
centuries we have thrust chores we regard to be unclean and socially
humiliating on people of the lowest, most oppressed castes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
They alone carry the burdens of disposing of animal
carcasses, skinning animals, and scavenging and disposing of human excreta.
Today, although not written, there’s virtually 100% reservation for the lowest
castes in jobs as cleaners and sweepers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Young people born into these disadvantaged castes battle
formidable barriers to enter and stay in school. Research demonstrates that
they frequently endure humiliating caste discrimination in classrooms. However,
even for many who persevere with their studies, and nearly all of those who
cannot, their caste destiny forces them to clean toilets as the only employment
available to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Can we imagine an India in which cleaning toilets becomes an
employment open to people of all castes ? A progressive social service
institute in Ahmedabad did it. It issued a job advertisement for a sanitation
worker, stating that preference would be given to candidates of higher castes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The institute knew that the notification would be
controversial: They issued it to stimulate public debate and soul-searching
about embedded social inequalities. What they didn’t anticipate was violence
and threats, forcing its director Prasad Chacko to go into hiding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The advertisement was issued by the Human Development and
Research Centre (formerly Behavioural Science Centre), established in the
seventies by a group of Jesuit priests. These St Xavier’s College teachers were
moved by the caste discrimination, untouchability and violence which they
encountered across Gujarat. The institute tried to organise Dalit and tribal
people, and promote gender equity. In 2002, it also became a hub for activists
working with survivors of the communal carnage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Some years ago, the position of a sanitation worker fell
vacant in their Ahmedabad office. It was advertised, and as invariably happens,
only people from the lowest-caste, Valmiki community, applied. Mukesh, a ‘tenth-fail’
Valmiki youth was appointed, but Chacko and his colleagues felt it would be
unjust for him to be trapped for a lifetime in only cleaning floors and
toilets. They helped him learn computers and office errands and promoted him as
an office assistant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
This spring the position of sanitation worker fell vacant
again. It was certain that if they issued a job call, only Valmiki candidates
would apply. The audacious idea of stating in the advertisement that preference
would be given to applicants of higher castes came up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDocyQkysjtEEhajILpHVipTAtKAATAu_zjjKO-OiPYt3t9OyP6q01jaDpWJjC-gZUtD21iEfWHouwp-BnsBnCb1ZxCpbMfRDABw0K0xSeEr1pufjwSFPAoj4I2x0TLKLKVBcA0Bn_Wpc/s1600/caste-system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDocyQkysjtEEhajILpHVipTAtKAATAu_zjjKO-OiPYt3t9OyP6q01jaDpWJjC-gZUtD21iEfWHouwp-BnsBnCb1ZxCpbMfRDABw0K0xSeEr1pufjwSFPAoj4I2x0TLKLKVBcA0Bn_Wpc/s640/caste-system.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">They mentioned that Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Baniyas and Patels
among Hindus; Syeds and Pathans among Muslims (priestly and warrior castes);
Syrian Christians; Parsis; and Jains, would be preferred. Chacko, a Syrian
Christian says that his community still claims its Brahmanical pedigree with
the myth that St Thomas came to Kerala in AD 51 and converted 51 Brahmins, the
ancestors of all later Syrian Christians.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Unsurprisingly, there were no high-caste applications, but
one morning late in June three young men in jeans forced themselves into
Chacko’s office, introducing themselves as members of organisations
representing Brahmins and Rajput Kshatriyas, and challenged him: “Do you
believe that Brahmins and Kshatriyas should clean toilets? Don’t you know what
responsibilities are assigned to us by tradition?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
“Would you ask Christian priests or Muslim maulvis to clean
toilets? It is the Kshatriyas who protect the nation, how dare you insult them
by asking them to clean latrines?” they asked. Chacko said that there was no
reason for priests and maulvis to not clean toilets, and that it is the army
and police — comprising men and women from every caste — that defend the nation.
They recorded Chacko’s views on their phones and left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In a few hours, Chacko’s interview began circulating on the
Internet, and a number of Gujarati TV channels arrived at the college campus
where the institute is located. By afternoon, a crowd of around 20 angry young
men gathered at the campus demanding that Chacko apologise. The police finally
arrived and dispersed the men.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The next day, more men gathered, and when they could not
meet Chacko, they smashed windows and flower pots outside the office. Many
joined in to condemn the advertisement, including Hardik Patel’s outfit and for
good measure even a Muslim organisation. The institute issued a ‘limited’
apology for unintentionally hurting sentiments, but did not retract the
advertisement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrIRvelFu5AmjneedrvH-uS3TDNzr34Njb1b9sjzQYecbFXcAIyvLW40gLFmEIe7Hvmx65pRVFECpjCj2t-dWt8ZirlrstoX87DYLAP_OR0x1FZlK-u8O7u1qHHktVNIOkhFSHqLHQPo/s1600/PROTEST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrIRvelFu5AmjneedrvH-uS3TDNzr34Njb1b9sjzQYecbFXcAIyvLW40gLFmEIe7Hvmx65pRVFECpjCj2t-dWt8ZirlrstoX87DYLAP_OR0x1FZlK-u8O7u1qHHktVNIOkhFSHqLHQPo/s640/PROTEST.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Dalit and human rights groups on the other hand rose in
solidarity across Gujarat issuing statements in support of this gesture for
advancing the idea of social equality. Jignesh Mewani, a Dalit activist and
lawyer said, “Narendra Modi has declared that sanitation work is a spiritual
exercise. Then why should the upper castes be denied this opportunity?” The
matter simmered for a while, and is now dormant, but Chacko continues to be on
leave.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The fury and indignation of upper caste organisations is
instructive of how entrenched the idea of caste remains in India. On the other
hand, simply the accident of birth into disadvantaged-caste households makes it
fine for low-caste youth to be trapped in this work that the upper castes so
despise. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The country is building toilets in every rural school, which
is welcome, but the responsibility for cleaning these toilets frequently fall
on students from these oppressed castes, who are shamed into doing work that
would so offend their higher-caste classmates. This too causes no outrage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
It is evident that the value of different lives still varies
infinitely in India based on the chance of where children are born. For some,
the skies are within reach, and the idea of cleaning dirt is sacrilege. For
others, clearing human waste is a fitting destiny, and reaching for the skies
is sacrilege.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
SOURCE <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/is-it-sacrilege-for-upper-castes-to-clean-toilets/story-woNZFn9j3NIp45udeKNGsO.html">HINDUSTAN TIMES</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-1349498029919885692016-07-26T10:54:00.005+03:002016-07-26T10:54:58.493+03:00Over 10.14 million Indians at risk from excess Fluoride in drinking water<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtfhWX02xbuh0dfnfXe6yp4xLaGozeiz8RQxYrY_7zuBhrypTqs6GL3Hq92MyxeVGL9Ay3TqXvP9j5Fpah493B5Wgrn0d1i1WUHGEm9SgsrJLSnt_92bjvjer4EpeHB-b3622cw5ycKs/s1600/Flouride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtfhWX02xbuh0dfnfXe6yp4xLaGozeiz8RQxYrY_7zuBhrypTqs6GL3Hq92MyxeVGL9Ay3TqXvP9j5Fpah493B5Wgrn0d1i1WUHGEm9SgsrJLSnt_92bjvjer4EpeHB-b3622cw5ycKs/s640/Flouride.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
World Health Organisation says that ingestion of excess fluoride, most commonly in
drinking-water, can cause fluorosis which affects the teeth and bones</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nearly 14,000 habitations in 17 states reported to have
excess fluoride in drinking water sources, affecting more than 1.14 crore (a
crore being equivalent to 10 million) people, Rajya Sabha was informed today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to the World Health Organisation, ingestion of
excess fluoride, most commonly in drinking-water, can cause <a href="http://www.webmd.com/children/fluorosis-symptoms-causes-treatments">fluorosis</a> which
affects the teeth and bones.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moderate amounts lead to dental effects, but long-term
ingestion of large amounts can lead to potentially severe skeletal problems,
WHO say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 6,855, the maximum cases have been reported from
Rajasthan, followed by 1,087 cases from Bihar, 1,065 from Karnataka and 1,064
from West Bengal, Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation Ramesh
Chandappa Jigajinagi said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8qvfEMIqsJVyfYdj1vMcJhiilokHFe_Kv-vLkRkjDFfXTVBRUbSrlvSpj7kAvhEGNzbUUfS3kElipgznaJHHk5b4UPpNTczkWaCVTwwKLnDFdlHq2fGH4doIvDWwQWRR63o8ry6AcwE/s1600/teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8qvfEMIqsJVyfYdj1vMcJhiilokHFe_Kv-vLkRkjDFfXTVBRUbSrlvSpj7kAvhEGNzbUUfS3kElipgznaJHHk5b4UPpNTczkWaCVTwwKLnDFdlHq2fGH4doIvDWwQWRR63o8ry6AcwE/s640/teeth.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #888888; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Young girl with dental fluorosis in Holkunda village</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As on July 20, the problem of excess fluoride in rural
drinking water sources is reported by 17 states in 13,949 habitations,” he
said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The minister said 1.14 crore people are at risk due to presence
of excess fluoride in water.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rural drinking water is a state subject. The Ministry of
Drinking Water and Sanitation assists the states in providing safe drinking
water in rural areas through centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water
Programme (NRDWP).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As per the plan of the Ministry, 90 per cent of the rural
population would be provided with safe drinking water by 2020 through surface
water based piped supply schemes, he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a separate reply, the minister said that during 2015-16,
an amount of Rs 4,268.58 crore has been provided to the states under NRDWP.
While in 2016-17, Rs 1986.66 crore has been released to the states in first installment
in April-May.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE NDTV </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-15423014139215787462016-07-25T15:43:00.004+03:002016-07-25T15:43:44.801+03:00SO what will it be, a toilet or safe drinking water? The stark choice facing many people in rural India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSusU6S3LpXrXJ3WTqx5aXtryfIyBevWDsK6eu1druyTpvklbnRzxPCcsSSyYDRC2AFr0SHr2L41Dy2jozwPqTcfMoEPEMD9jtJkaHJBMyIJ7l-r0ODh3zT7bNyPrlw_sfYynQ3bSrmyM/s1600/Orissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSusU6S3LpXrXJ3WTqx5aXtryfIyBevWDsK6eu1druyTpvklbnRzxPCcsSSyYDRC2AFr0SHr2L41Dy2jozwPqTcfMoEPEMD9jtJkaHJBMyIJ7l-r0ODh3zT7bNyPrlw_sfYynQ3bSrmyM/s640/Orissa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: "Guardian Text Sans Web", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: start;">A hand pump with a cracked base in Dhenkenal, Odisha. Poorly maintained pumps are vulnerable to contamination from above ground as well as from nearby leach pits.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
June in Odisha state’s Puri district, and the mercury is
hitting 39C. The monsoon is still days away but, when it comes, the Mahanadi
river could flood low-lying villages, as it often has done. One such village is
Aaruha, a network of congested huts surrounded by vast rice fields.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chaibi Swain, 52, lives here with her husband, a rice
farmer. Her home is little different to the rest of Aaruha’s low-rise
dwellings, but it has a toilet, which puts her among a small minority in rural
Odisha. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eight out of nine people in Odisha’s villages do not use toilets,
instead defecating in the open, leaving them vulnerable to diseases. The
Swains, with their tiny toilet, which empties into a leach pit – a hole in the
ground used to compost faeces when there is no sewage system – are the face of
progress.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a problem, however. The leach pit is next to the
household’s drinking-water source, a tube well. Water so close to a leach pit
is vulnerable to contamination from faecal germs, since bacteria, viruses and
protozoa can travel through soil. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHaEomKlD81lO0fLBHmzicbeOAknd58F2Onb7K5H9aPnY9lJDkkL-nQ87NDBciuTXQqavxOFi5JuldSqTbLC22ziz4NmNPqOgdO9e9Gie8gS2nlpvCgAOWdU5_DLxX1dlAPoKva3bnCI/s1600/leach+pit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHaEomKlD81lO0fLBHmzicbeOAknd58F2Onb7K5H9aPnY9lJDkkL-nQ87NDBciuTXQqavxOFi5JuldSqTbLC22ziz4NmNPqOgdO9e9Gie8gS2nlpvCgAOWdU5_DLxX1dlAPoKva3bnCI/s640/leach+pit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: "Guardian Text Sans Web", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: start;">This toilet with a leach pit in Puri has been built next to a hand pump, making contamination likely</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Worse, when the monsoon comes and the
Mahanadi overruns its banks, the groundwater levels in Aaruha rise, making the
contamination worse. The Swains’ toilet could actually be a health risk.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They aren’t the only ones whose backyard toilet is a threat
to the water supply. As the Swachch Bharat Mission (SBM) – India’s ambitious
campaign to stop open defecation by 2019 – gains pace, about 1.3m leach-pit
toilets have been built in Odisha alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In districts such as Ganjam, Balasore and Puri, these pits
are often built without safeguards against contamination, say the NGOs working
with the government. “It is quite alarming, because if this problem is not
addressed at this time, we are building sites of contamination all around,”
says Devdeep Saha, a research associate at the sanitation NGO Friend in Need
Trust.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The safeguards in coastal districts such as Puri, which have
high groundwater tables and are prone to flooding, include keeping a 10-metre
distance between water sources and leach pits, raising the top of pits above
the ground so that flood water does not enter, and sealing the bottom of pits
to prevent pathogens escaping. But villagers who build their own toilets in
return for funds from the mission often ignore these safeguards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reasons are many. First, many households in congested
villages do not have the space to build toilets and tube wells far apart.
Harendranath Pradhan, a government sanitation engineer in Odisha’s Balasore
district, says this is the main reason for guidance being ignored. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Even though his job is to ensure toilets are properly
built, Pradhan says this isn’t always possible. “We tell the beneficiary to
maintain a distance from the water source. But they say they don’t have the
land. So we build the toilet, because we have to meet targets,” he says.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
India is not yet meeting its mission goals. Only about 19m
toilets have been built across rural India, meaning another 92m are needed over
the next three years to meet the 2019 target. Vivek Sabnis, who previously
worked for the Bangalore-based sanitation NGO Arghyam, says: “Unfortunately,
everybody is pushing for quantity over quality.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Odisha isn’t the only state that faces a threat to its water
supplies from new toilets. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand also have badly built
toilets, according to Saha. This means that, as coverage grows, contamination
may worsen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology
in April found that certain diarrhoea-causing protozoa can travel 150 metres or
more in the high groundwater of Puri to contaminate even deep tube wells, which
are thought safer than shallow tube wells and open ponds. The study says full
latrine coverage in high water table areas would reduce contamination in open
ponds, but increase it in tube wells.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPkf8pjQ7PI1kfcPFP-5fvx88GYGESZjl0g0FlRdsj7P1RBPZsXG2xHD0_uDnyJKm4mtps5D4hXuDEELfjNCwi2nd_OT1-6-kXb5gtTHR-0TBiQ1TzXtZtbYZQI6BVVwHcP92FxECX9E/s1600/water-supply1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPkf8pjQ7PI1kfcPFP-5fvx88GYGESZjl0g0FlRdsj7P1RBPZsXG2xHD0_uDnyJKm4mtps5D4hXuDEELfjNCwi2nd_OT1-6-kXb5gtTHR-0TBiQ1TzXtZtbYZQI6BVVwHcP92FxECX9E/s640/water-supply1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marion Jenkins, lead author of the study and an
environmental health researcher at the University of California in Davis, says
recommended safeguards may reduce contamination a little, but won’t eliminate
it. “Drinking-water aquifers are already seriously polluted with faecal
protozoal pathogens from the existing stock of latrines in rural Puri,” she
says.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This means that unless the existing latrines are pulled
down, and new ones built differently, pollution will remain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another study, published in January, found tube wells in
Bihar to be contaminated by faecal pathogens about 18% of the time, when they
weren’t far enough from pit toilets. This study was done in summer, and the
authors predict contamination would increase during monsoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None of this means India should panic and abandon pit
toilets, says Sandy Cairncross, an environmental health researcher at the
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Improved toilet coverage is
likely to benefit people much more than it hurts them, he points out, adding
that it would be better to provide piped water to villages, instead of relying
on tube wells and ponds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another solution is to train villagers to monitor the
quality of their toilets, instead of relying on government officials to do so,
says Sujoy Mojumdar, a former SBM director who is now with Unicef India. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
system of a government official inspecting toilets before disbursing money
doesn’t work because toilet users do not feel ownership, he argues. Village
teams already exist in some states, he says, “but it is still a rare example
and not widespread”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE THE GUARDIAN UK<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-79692837196631239672016-07-25T14:47:00.001+03:002016-07-25T14:47:43.644+03:00Majority of teenage girls in Northern Ghana drop out of school over menstruation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
A research conducted by the Catholic Relief Services, the
University for Development Studies and the Desert Research Institute has shown
that about 59-95 of teenage girls in Northern Ghana have little knowledge about
issues of menstrual hygiene.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to the research about 95 per cent of these girls
miss school during their menstrual periods because they are mocked at by their
peers especially the boys.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZYtyVFCJiaJPnlpBbDrg7BzdgyJYJcmEoR760LjKbb3PCYUZTB0tRdTzuN1YO0mN9BNLAmzWrF6ayG-f_3FHYjq3uIeM6-jTSlVE89sBg7F-VsU11wZklQzJyxEWVSNuUFH8J_-wqjc/s1600/pep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZYtyVFCJiaJPnlpBbDrg7BzdgyJYJcmEoR760LjKbb3PCYUZTB0tRdTzuN1YO0mN9BNLAmzWrF6ayG-f_3FHYjq3uIeM6-jTSlVE89sBg7F-VsU11wZklQzJyxEWVSNuUFH8J_-wqjc/s640/pep.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #888888; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Girls learn about menstrual hygiene management and other health issues from a trusted teacher at their school</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The research also showed that girls in their menses are
perceived as unclean making it difficult for them to stay in school or attend
social events during that time of the month.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Presenting the findings at a symposium in Tamale, the
Coordinator of Schools Health Education Program, Bernadette Kafari said many
people in the Northern region stigmatize young girls or women when they are in
their menstrual periods leading to school dropout.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She said at the lower level the dropout rate is low but as
they progress to the senior high school the dropout rates increased to 65
percent for girls and 58 percent for the boys.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Madam Kafari said they have had to mobilise key stakeholders
in the region to help address the findings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Country Representative of the Catholic Relief Service
Kris H. Ozar charged stakeholders in the education sector to support in the
mobilization of resources to help tackle the issues of menstrual hygiene in
schools across the country.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdx5Wz6X3MTmH-lOO3SuX9edE5K8X4UqyNsurjzHc4oDBVbjD087orhAgnpVqdP7uA9WgOjRCWgcS3RMUBmj_ZcyYyJUtTMog84vatFtfr1n2YXbvPdcNK2tLphQKoxRG67IJnLFsZyw/s1600/Speak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdx5Wz6X3MTmH-lOO3SuX9edE5K8X4UqyNsurjzHc4oDBVbjD087orhAgnpVqdP7uA9WgOjRCWgcS3RMUBmj_ZcyYyJUtTMog84vatFtfr1n2YXbvPdcNK2tLphQKoxRG67IJnLFsZyw/s640/Speak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Education stakeholders need to mobilise resources to help tackle the issues of menstrual hygiene in schools across the country</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said issues of menstrual hygiene remain a challenge in
the country and called for its management.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Country Director said despite Ghana’s growth in
education and health the Northern and the Upper East regions are still
struggling to reach their full potential.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Ozar said absenteeism is rife in the two regions with the
retention of girls in schools becoming a huge challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said the <a href="http://www.crs.org/">Catholic Relief Service</a> is working in the
education sector to ensure increase the enrolment and retention of the girl
child in school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjKVHZ5FI5RJm6TgOj1o-6HOYS24GxN2lpVD2CNWqdo0ChWJdpUYs9NoYZbBaG-g09JSekseZwAO0H_MzmuIN9kZ-Bexakgnch4pmEP9osyr7iFKOi0ej8f_iI_-GSPg5bdTt0HVRDgg/s1600/sanitary+pads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjKVHZ5FI5RJm6TgOj1o-6HOYS24GxN2lpVD2CNWqdo0ChWJdpUYs9NoYZbBaG-g09JSekseZwAO0H_MzmuIN9kZ-Bexakgnch4pmEP9osyr7iFKOi0ej8f_iI_-GSPg5bdTt0HVRDgg/s640/sanitary+pads.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Catholic Relief Service organisation works in a number of countries particularly in sanitary pad research </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Ozar said currently CRS and its partners are working with
138 schools in six districts in the Northern and Upper East Region on menstrual
hygiene.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He added that they are targeting the enrolment and retention
of about 122,758 pupils in these schools at the end of the three year duration.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Ozar said the CRS is also working hand-in-hand with the
Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service to mobilise and sensitise
parents and Teachers on menstrual hygiene to help curb the absenteeism in these
regions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Ozar called on the private sector to support the projects
to ensure its success.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE <a href="http://myjoyonline.com/">MYJOYONLINE.COM</a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-2671100922478465172016-07-25T13:19:00.002+03:002016-07-25T13:20:39.232+03:00'Healthy Start' campaign kick started to curb maternal mortality in India <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrrSv_Wh56KoHlQ2uxc0Cb0x7tSkamg9NNvq7q3a-uQK5eY0PLvjrg9V0CPWa55t27UyoPHTJYoSm8nge_shbPgYEgrcCygl6rp_r7QgtUpoaEQOCiJFiwSgfdX4WPR8Qi1qRLb2OngM/s1600/Infant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrrSv_Wh56KoHlQ2uxc0Cb0x7tSkamg9NNvq7q3a-uQK5eY0PLvjrg9V0CPWa55t27UyoPHTJYoSm8nge_shbPgYEgrcCygl6rp_r7QgtUpoaEQOCiJFiwSgfdX4WPR8Qi1qRLb2OngM/s640/Infant.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #888888; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Infant health worker Pinki weighing a child as part of a regular check-up</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WASHFAIR Reporter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One in five newborn deaths within the first month of birth,
could be prevented by ensuring access to clean water and providing a clean
birthing environment, a new survey has found. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The survey commissioned by WaterAid India entitled ‘Healthy
start campaign’ cited that Sepsis, a leading cause of infection in newborns, is
associated with unclean practices at and after birth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Evidence also suggests that poor water, sanitation and
hygiene in health care facilities is associated with high in-hospital maternal
mortality,” the survey read in part.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With 167 maternal
deaths per 100,000 live births and 28 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births,
India has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant mortality in the
world. Studies have shown that many deaths in the first month of life result
from diseases and conditions that are preventable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though the link between lack of safe water, sanitation and
hygiene (WASH) and disease was established in the last century, most of India’s
healthcare facilities continue to have inadequate WASH facilities. Almost 140,000
children under the age of five die every year in India from causes linked to
lack of clean water and adequate sanitation, and poor hygiene practices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDYbfTVJdunC6uwmXQFrs90-v76n9GQIMOvGmB934KCjy_w0NK7475cmB_-hWjYJoPPdoyxHo0DUsE3iqGIvQfhwOXnB8RZYN8rshau7fhWMX8oGIdnP1_iDKV56NHpk1HnCA8HubM2o/s1600/AMREF014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDYbfTVJdunC6uwmXQFrs90-v76n9GQIMOvGmB934KCjy_w0NK7475cmB_-hWjYJoPPdoyxHo0DUsE3iqGIvQfhwOXnB8RZYN8rshau7fhWMX8oGIdnP1_iDKV56NHpk1HnCA8HubM2o/s640/AMREF014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WaterAid, globally, envisions everyone, everywhere to have
access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. In India, WaterAid
assessed the situation of WASH in 343 healthcare facilities across 12 districts
in six states.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The findings draw attention towards the poor status of WASH
in healthcare facilities. There is not only severe lack of WASH facilities in
the healthcare institutions but wherever present, most of them are either
dysfunctional or inconveniently situated for the expectant or lactating mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Healthy Start is a campaign by WaterAid India with an
overall goal to contribute towards preventing a significant number of neonatal
and maternal deaths through safe WASH in healthcare services.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YTA_-IoTBEsvReRflmFDmkGRgMdosntsg8Y8L813Ip7W83obF4miSo1biwMmeKkiSmjKKpmThl7A2zJEAucXzCyv8M72ZC5xegBB4Wy9ewY_sxmZpkIjsMeW1fjKSX1JkO-wJdbAezo/s1600/WaterAid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YTA_-IoTBEsvReRflmFDmkGRgMdosntsg8Y8L813Ip7W83obF4miSo1biwMmeKkiSmjKKpmThl7A2zJEAucXzCyv8M72ZC5xegBB4Wy9ewY_sxmZpkIjsMeW1fjKSX1JkO-wJdbAezo/s640/WaterAid.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Its major objectives include influence change in neonatal
and maternal healthcare for a shift from curative to preventive health
services; strengthen the health delivery system to ensure adequate and safe
WASH in healthcare facilities; and increase demand for safe WASH services by
communities in healthcare facilities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The government’s National Rural Health Mission (launched in
2005 as NRHM) brought the issues related to newborn healthcare into limelight.
Since then, there have been several programmes and schemes launched to promote
maternal and neonatal healthcare with an emphasis on institutional delivery ensuring
a safe and professional birthing environment for the expectant mother and the
newborn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example, the Janani Suraksha Yojana (implemented in
2005) has led to an exponential increase in institutional delivery, currently
estimated at 80 per cent of all deliveries. The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram
(started in 2011) introduced a special provision for both facility based and
home based newborn care to ensure neonatal care in Primary Health Centres,
Community Health Centres and District Hospitals. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reproductive, Maternal,
Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) approach introduced in 2013
places an emphasis on ensuring a continuum of care from pre-pregnancy to childhood
with specific components for each segment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched in 2014 with an
aim to make India open defecation free by 2019 has increased its ambit to
address healthcare facilities as well. The specific national initiative programme
‘KAYAKALP’ launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in May 2015 as
a part of SBM promotes cleanliness, hygiene, infection control, and sustainable
practices related to WASH in healthcare institutions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This offers a unique opportunity to ensure that every newborn
and mother is protected from preventable diseases and thereby enable that every
start of life is a Healthy Start.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE <a href="http://www.wateraid.org/where-we-work/page/india">WATERAID INDIA</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-91317878229127303462016-07-25T10:19:00.000+03:002016-07-25T10:19:53.512+03:00Toilets for all possible in 3 years: Sulabh founder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66OgJeY3qXZqKm2A_KTPBdeQKsXV9z8gxYWsG5ZbSTyzAqQHTUHpIXCxMIUgoJB01R_HgGc1Hp3xxfK2fzHWyGOjBGI5kpOzJuI0PsTIVwE9Vw6OfWQ9CLy3l1j1rqZytpjk22cmRB-c/s1600/Bindeshwar_Pathak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66OgJeY3qXZqKm2A_KTPBdeQKsXV9z8gxYWsG5ZbSTyzAqQHTUHpIXCxMIUgoJB01R_HgGc1Hp3xxfK2fzHWyGOjBGI5kpOzJuI0PsTIVwE9Vw6OfWQ9CLy3l1j1rqZytpjk22cmRB-c/s640/Bindeshwar_Pathak.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Pathak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
DR Bindeshwar Pathak, sanitation expert and founder of the
prominent NGO Sulabh International, believes it is possible to provide toilets
for all citizens across India in three years, but ministers need to focus and
carry forward the commitment to deliver it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr Pathak, who was in London for a conference on India’s
smart cities, told Hindustan Times on Thursday evening the bureaucracy could
not be expected to lead, but to follow directives of ministers to implement
such a massive project.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The leadership and clarity is there at the top from Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on this important issue, but ministers responsible for
delivering need the vision to take it forward, and not expect the bureaucracy
to lead the drive,” Dr Pathak, 73, said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Presenting figures of the all-India challenge, Dr Pathak
said 120 million toilets can be constructed in three years with a budget of Rs
3.6 lakh crore (each toilet costing Rs 30,000, inclusive of cost escalation).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Besides subsidy from the government, potential sources for
funding include corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets of thousands of
Indian companies, non-resident Indians, bank loans and contribution from
beneficiaries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It will not only provide employment in our 2.51 lakh
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchayati_raj_(India)">panchayats</a> and 6.46 lakh villages, but also ensure the sustained maintenance of
toilets,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Backed with 45 years of award-winning experience in
providing low-cost sanitation in India and other countries, Sulabh’s approach
is based on partnerships with local governments, backed by community
participation. It ensures maintenance and follow-up of projects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It does not matter if we are part of this initiative but I
can say that only the low-cost Sulabh model based on two-pit pour flush compost
toilet technology can ensure that India is free of open defecation. They can
take our model, but the government alone cannot do it,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier this month, Sulabh opened the world’s largest public
toilet facility in the holy city of Pandharpur in Maharashtra, with nearly
2,800 seats. Pathak said Sulabh had so far constructed 8,500 public toilets and
1.5 million in homes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">SOURCE <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/toilets-for-all-possible-in-3-years-sulabh-founder/story-SHidZwI8ey5mj3KK2bt3cO.html">HINDUSTAN TIMES </a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-73781474989049842262016-07-22T10:22:00.003+03:002016-07-22T10:22:44.381+03:00Africa’s water woes call for strong dedication, says VP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWyuRVP7uFtckAORD7fWYzC2a0e_sricNrVJ26Zw-pNuVZdGZY5Q-sScJDiEkbEm_ZfCxsS3zlEu2Hm37ti_QCqvp07Lra_dlxCrJOqsoGF8hmb5gw2d81XUtwdKDii7wsG1hyphenhyphenInqsOo/s1600/water+woes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWyuRVP7uFtckAORD7fWYzC2a0e_sricNrVJ26Zw-pNuVZdGZY5Q-sScJDiEkbEm_ZfCxsS3zlEu2Hm37ti_QCqvp07Lra_dlxCrJOqsoGF8hmb5gw2d81XUtwdKDii7wsG1hyphenhyphenInqsOo/s640/water+woes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
INNOVATIVE financing mechanisms and diversification of water
resources are crucial for Africa to tackle the challenges facing the water
sector and achieve sustainable development.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Vice-President, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan, said this
yesterday in Dar es Salaam at the opening of the 10th <a href="http://www.amcow-online.org/index.php?lang=en">African Ministers Councilon Water (AMCOW).</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The AMCOW General Assembly was preceded by the 6th Africa
Water Week which commenced on July 18 to 22 with the theme ‘achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on water security and sanitation.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>According to the VP, recent global statistics show that
about 800 million people still lack access to safe water, while about 2.5
million do not have access to improved sanitation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Almost these affected people live in developing world and
particularly in Africa which accounts for 40 per cent of this population,” Ms
Hassan said. She added that within an hour, about 400 people mostly children
are likely to die in the continent from water linked diseases.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa6roTkgjCiYEGRK_LVPb2hQpDK90I-qT4Q4JqzXg8SvxIYiT1ufAmAnz8lkJwpKhQFAREWqLqM33ZS1voDhtehwP3bZXnBzLBDrC8qf_0_WuthOYtd353DJCPjksvx_MEtSnRfq59Jo/s1600/Disease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa6roTkgjCiYEGRK_LVPb2hQpDK90I-qT4Q4JqzXg8SvxIYiT1ufAmAnz8lkJwpKhQFAREWqLqM33ZS1voDhtehwP3bZXnBzLBDrC8qf_0_WuthOYtd353DJCPjksvx_MEtSnRfq59Jo/s640/Disease.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Estimates show that about 400 people mostly children are likely to die every hour in the continent from water linked diseases</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is estimated that 60 per cent of hospital beds in
developing countries are occupied by people suffering from water related
diseases.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ms Hassan said that the common resolve by Africans to meet
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets on water and sanitation has
helped about 322 million Africans to have gained access to safe and drinking
water and 189 million have access to an improved sanitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She, however, said that Africa is currently experiencing
high population growth and expansion of its cities accompanied by accelerated
economic activities, thus call for collaborative efforts to make deliberate
considerations on the requirements for water related sanitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“These challenges are many and require bold and decisive
solutions … we must tackle future challenges by diversifying our sources of
water and being innovative in our financing mechanisms, taking into account
huge funding requirements for the sector,” Ms Hassan observed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She added that there was a need for agency of mobilising
funds to put the right infrastructure and skilled manpower to develop and
manage the sector more efficiently. Ms Hassan, however, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
reaffirmed the
commitment by the fifth phase government to initiate strategic industrial
growth in key areas including adding value to agricultural products.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This anticipated industrial growth is likely to attract
expansion of the agricultural sector with notable expansion of irrigated land
and general increase in farming activities in the country,” she cited.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She said more water abstraction from the ecosystem will be
required in a sustainable manner in order to achieve sustainable development.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking to the ‘Daily News’, the AMCOW Executive Secretary,
Mr Bai Mass Taal, said that attainment of SGDs needs proper financing
mechanism.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to him, Africa needs 11 billion USD per year for
the implementation of its projects, thus without proper financing it will be
difficult for the continent to achieve its goals. He called upon African
governments to allocate more funds for the water sector in order to address the
impending problems. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3FhX1YnPHLNhgV1wRUldpjx4bSNZasmDh04FInh5kym1o759Xe2CMlm45A-S7QcN5dUcqQ5b0_4fLUqfBW6RQm70sJoYCEp77MZnCRY3yH0PBfQj1tYP26QKrQusbaICOBUEAk3e9R4/s1600/Finance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3FhX1YnPHLNhgV1wRUldpjx4bSNZasmDh04FInh5kym1o759Xe2CMlm45A-S7QcN5dUcqQ5b0_4fLUqfBW6RQm70sJoYCEp77MZnCRY3yH0PBfQj1tYP26QKrQusbaICOBUEAk3e9R4/s640/Finance.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Africa needs 11 billion USD per year for the implementation of its projects</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This conference is crucial because it gives us an
opportunity to sit down and draw out our strategies and road map on financial mechanisms
to achieve the SGDs,” Mr Taal said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He further noted that African governments should act now on
water problems facing its people, adding that approximately 340 million people
in Africa have no access to drinking water. Mr Taal commended the development
partners for supporting Africa in water and sanitation projects and called for
further support for the continent to attain SDGs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For her part, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy
and Agriculture, Ms Rhoda Tumisiime, said that the theme for the 6th Africa
Water week and the 10th AMCOW General Assembly is timely because it is in line
with the theme of the 2016 AU summit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE <a href="http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/51916-africa-s-water-woes-call-for-strong-dedication-says-vp">DAILY NEWS </a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-17420760747895845682016-07-21T16:10:00.000+03:002016-07-21T16:10:03.712+03:00Want to know the key to beat superbugs? Handwashing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_S0h4eVbXaJG8N6-iW7fut4BUhY3vlmLjRmF-v4Du_8VQ07IwUt1F4jhp_Uec3Gs5jT-vA-n-eRCeiF5XdUbUwMqYdJ2oq26ut7JyR1FbokvtaRVryxB9ztMFCDhvo7LAEzHwDOgbxc0/s1600/superbug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_S0h4eVbXaJG8N6-iW7fut4BUhY3vlmLjRmF-v4Du_8VQ07IwUt1F4jhp_Uec3Gs5jT-vA-n-eRCeiF5XdUbUwMqYdJ2oq26ut7JyR1FbokvtaRVryxB9ztMFCDhvo7LAEzHwDOgbxc0/s640/superbug.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A new report in May has highlighted the growing threat of
drug-resistant "superbugs". The projections of the Review on
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) - prepared for the British government by
economist Jim O'Neill - are disturbing: antibiotic-resistant bacteria already
kill nearly a million people each year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Worse, by 2050, this may rise to 10 million, potentially
costing the world US$100 trillion (S$136 trillion) in lost productivity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Society must focus on prevention and become much more
prudent with the use of existing antibiotics in order to slow the emergence of
drug-resistant bacteria. In South-east Asia, this means reducing usage by
consumers, as well as by farmers who use antibiotics in agriculture. Prevention
requires better sanitation and hygiene.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Across the region, access to sanitation remains problematic.
The World Health Organisation estimates some 935 million people in South Asia
and 176 million in South-east Asia lack sanitation. These areas will feel the
impact of drug-resistant bacteria more acutely as infections become
increasingly difficult to treat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In South-east Asia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, cholera and
pneumonia, among others, have already shown resistance to current drug
treatments. The result is prolonged periods of sickness, more expensive
treatments and greater risks to communities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Governments must prioritise the
provision of water and sanitation systems to counter the spread of disease. In
addition, the immediate and cost-effective way to reduce risk is handwashing
with soap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52VwZcIGtPMP7XQpXQwui68aIXYAEJh4LgxeyIPQlWssqBRvX98YZdIEJ_zuJmQINSwTIcfTBPQOVdBWjaaXS6aIfVPjCCjc-Fe6Emyaq7wjZMOMjEF1khKUDEVeZOYlL7nJk8_uX2CU/s1600/hand-washing-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52VwZcIGtPMP7XQpXQwui68aIXYAEJh4LgxeyIPQlWssqBRvX98YZdIEJ_zuJmQINSwTIcfTBPQOVdBWjaaXS6aIfVPjCCjc-Fe6Emyaq7wjZMOMjEF1khKUDEVeZOYlL7nJk8_uX2CU/s640/hand-washing-photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Handwashing does not solve the problem of drug-resistant
bacteria. But it does slow the emergence of new resistance and saves people
from getting sick with potentially untreatable illnesses. According to Unicef,
the United Nations' children's agency, handwashing with soap after defecation
and before handling food can reduce diarrhoea by up to 59 per cent, and
respiratory illness by one quarter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Handwashing can help eliminate millions of courses of
antibiotics that are currently ineffectively and often inappropriately
prescribed. Proper hygiene behaviour also helps prevent the spread of
contagious diseases such as Sars, H5N1 influenza and Ebola, long considered
impending threats among dense populations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, handwashing with soap is more commonly said than it
is done. Notoriously difficult to monitor, rates of handwashing with soap vary
dramatically, though rarely surpass 40 per cent to 50 per cent at key times and
can be much lower, according to international studies. Even among medical
professionals, there is an overall median compliance rate of only 40 per cent,
according to the AMR global report.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Knowledge and practice are not equivalent. Establishing
regular hygiene behaviour requires water, soap and a convenient basin together
at the proper time and place - an "enabling environment".<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those living in affluent cities, this challenge may not
be obvious. Yet, piped water and modern sinks are expensive and often
unavailable in rural areas. Traditional water storage methods create awkward
logistics for handwashing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>Makeshift solutions often involving recycled plastic bottles
or milk cartons attached to a tree or post can be free, but have proven
unsuccessful in changing behaviour. Because they are free, such devices are not
valued and easily discarded. As one development expert said: "People don't
want to use something that looks like rubbish hanging in their yard."
Undeniably, the goal is regular usage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEte3svzf61YJ6lx2jrrbxfwRouNku3PIMWQW3jPsbZcimvY8tk-s3CQgIutRuijN9lfuOCbx3UjpGg5cf8oxoH1JsuV0_J1Ge5U3xvz023Cum4UtctXnOocBGdWaneiBeWMo_wrHDlw4/s1600/happytap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEte3svzf61YJ6lx2jrrbxfwRouNku3PIMWQW3jPsbZcimvY8tk-s3CQgIutRuijN9lfuOCbx3UjpGg5cf8oxoH1JsuV0_J1Ge5U3xvz023Cum4UtctXnOocBGdWaneiBeWMo_wrHDlw4/s640/happytap.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: #888888; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">World Design Impact
Prize 2015-2016 Finalists</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In response, a small company in Vietnam has launched an
innovative and attractive low-cost consumer product that promotes behaviour
change, born from the Global Scaling Up of Handwashing campaign, a project
under the water and sanitation programme that is part of the World Bank Group's
Water Global Practice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our think-tank, the Global Institute For Tomorrow (Gift),
supported this process. Currently wholly-owned by the WaterSHED
non-governmental organisation, the social-business is now seeking to scale up
production and distribution throughout the region.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Designed through a human-centred design process, it was a
finalist for the World Design Impact Prize, which encourages industrial design
driven projects that benefit society. Imagine a "portable sink"
complete with soap tray, wastewater pipe and modern design, placed in the
kitchen or outside the latrine, with optional mirror, dental kit and make-up -
an aspirational, modern lifestyle product, yet still affordable at about US$12.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxmG50NNvwMeNrI6FbF8iSo07STCsj1wtB8FOyXWGQznjct-YK3IH1gI3HKNAc_R0nU3g5Nm-7CYFap6obEfjlt22tlOVM3iCQymZpAwiwJ7Nr6nsdc_QI8enytDir6acBpPpQAcV4wM/s1600/Tap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxmG50NNvwMeNrI6FbF8iSo07STCsj1wtB8FOyXWGQznjct-YK3IH1gI3HKNAc_R0nU3g5Nm-7CYFap6obEfjlt22tlOVM3iCQymZpAwiwJ7Nr6nsdc_QI8enytDir6acBpPpQAcV4wM/s320/Tap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This contrasts with products in other regions that retail
for US$200 or public hand sanitiser devices which require regular servicing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The number of rural residents in Asean who could stand to
benefit from a low-cost product that changes handwashing behaviour could amount
to well over half of the region's 625 million population.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Countries with the greatest need for such a handwashing
device, based on the percentage of the population with what is termed
"improved sanitation", according to World Bank figures, are:
Cambodia, 42 per cent (which means 58 per cent do not have access); Indonesia,
61 per cent; Laos, 71 per cent; the Philippines, 74 per cent; Vietnam, 78 per
cent; and Myanmar, 80 per cent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, even where there is improved sanitation, there may
not be running water, and in many rural areas there is no piped water into the
household, so it is inconvenient to wash one's hands with soap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Handwashing is the most important preventative measure that
can be implemented today. Other more costly and time-consuming investments in
infrastructure and new pharmaceutical cures are also necessary. Singapore and
other centres of innovation should incentivise the development of new drugs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Concurrently, Asean should set targets to reduce overall antibiotics usage. Doctors, meanwhile, must be more conservative with
prescriptions and also seek to facilitate handwashing behaviour among patients. Everyone will have a role to play in this critical race
against drug resistance - and it starts with prevention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 20.35pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE STRAITSTIMES<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-48564814996810769062016-07-21T11:34:00.000+03:002016-07-21T11:34:16.406+03:00Water projects’ implementation in Tanzania thrills AfDB<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZ7sOQhaknbbpS0KG4PaPmlLxy-CK3f9rOj9HJjCi63MCdg31_W0_Tc4m1TvHHvgVBLnfwpekrX_y6lQv9YG1LxC_HfDLy_j-fS1D6o7G58xBg6ln94RBMmLmaF6VYZQ4gMZrWfEBqXc/s1600/Props.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZ7sOQhaknbbpS0KG4PaPmlLxy-CK3f9rOj9HJjCi63MCdg31_W0_Tc4m1TvHHvgVBLnfwpekrX_y6lQv9YG1LxC_HfDLy_j-fS1D6o7G58xBg6ln94RBMmLmaF6VYZQ4gMZrWfEBqXc/s640/Props.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.afdb.org/en/">AFRICAN Development Bank (AfDB)</a> has expressed satisfaction
on Tanzania’s implementation of water and sanitation projects, promising to
continue working closely with the government towards the target of availing
water and sanitation services to more citizens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
AfDB Director of Water and Sanitation Department Mohamed El
Azizi said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the bank has financed a number of
water and sanitation projects in Tanzania and in Africa in general.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr El Azizi was speaking at sixth Africa Water Week, which
started on July 18 through July 22, under the theme of achieving Sustainable
Development Goals on Water Security and Sanitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The continent’s development financier has since 2001
approved nine water and sanitation operations in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar
at a total cost of about 700 million US dollars (over 1.5trn/-).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The director advised the government and development partners
to increase funding for water and sanitation projects to address the problem of
access to reliable water and sanitation services facing a number of African
countries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bank indicated that for Africa to achieve the
<a href="http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/">Sustainable Development Goals </a>there must be political commitment,
prioritisation of water and sanitation issues, as well as more budget
allocation to the water and sanitation sector.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>Mr El Azizi challenged the government and development
partners to set sufficient budgets for water interventions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At the African Development Bank we are already supporting
large scale water and sanitation projects like the Arusha Sustainable Urban
Water and Sanitation Project which will cost over 200 million US dollars,” he
said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The AfDB recently agreed to focus on five priority actions
and goals which will help to transform the African continent. The five priority
goals, which AfDB calls the “High 5s for Africa” are: Light Up and Power
Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialise Africa; Integrate Africa and Improve the
Quality of Life for Africans which will directly contribute to the development
of the water infrastructure and the water security.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZuYSaIJ_-J-CBepUavdTlrVpxqSI_ITKvykSbKgwocY3iD10cBaNVdtgYoPBuVAmg0tV6SY48Eb0CE3AUmHbI4bpvW0teQACiQJ2WSB5ACWM8qF5rfZD41786p3MSWO-elYCxeWNc8c/s1600/Mpya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZuYSaIJ_-J-CBepUavdTlrVpxqSI_ITKvykSbKgwocY3iD10cBaNVdtgYoPBuVAmg0tV6SY48Eb0CE3AUmHbI4bpvW0teQACiQJ2WSB5ACWM8qF5rfZD41786p3MSWO-elYCxeWNc8c/s640/Mpya.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to the director, water and sanitation will remain
one of the key development challenges facing communities and nations of Africa
since it will have direct impacts on the economic growth and on the attainment
of most other Sustainable Development Goals, the international targets that
replaced the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Africa is one of the developing regions which have not met
the drinking water and sanitation targets. More than 50 per cent of Africa’s
population currently does not have access to safe and reliable water and
sanitation services.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also an estimated one million Africans die every year from
lack of adequate sanitation, hygiene or from water borne diseases.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/51894-water-projects-implementation-in-tanzania-thrills-afdb">SOURCE DAILY NEWS </a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-32440366202151600022016-07-20T11:06:00.000+03:002016-07-20T11:06:05.960+03:00Why the government has to confront a long standing challenge of providing clean and safe water to the majority of Tanzanians<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I travelled to over seven regions of this country recently and
one of the most imposing successes as you move hundreds of kilometers, is the
modern roads connecting scores of regions. It’s admirable. But the story is
different with regard to access to clean water.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7RqA7CrRmxC3N0WdrSr9Yl5H51lAKHBp0lUYs5EJ21QgUjBVb-LQ05EzG-CGhnOqdMJm0FDDqyyLOCxvIyiQcXafNGjYEAqezXPaC2Mh1iRkToe719hy_UgOvGbUSOWcx8P6O-QT1as/s1600/clean+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7RqA7CrRmxC3N0WdrSr9Yl5H51lAKHBp0lUYs5EJ21QgUjBVb-LQ05EzG-CGhnOqdMJm0FDDqyyLOCxvIyiQcXafNGjYEAqezXPaC2Mh1iRkToe719hy_UgOvGbUSOWcx8P6O-QT1as/s640/clean+water.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #888888; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">A pastoralist collects drinking water from a contaminated water source in the northern part of Tanzania</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite progress made, provision of water supply remains one
of the biggest problems especially in the rural areas. Yet, Universal access to
clean water and sanitation is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As President John Magufuli’s new government moves to embark
on reforms in the sector, analysts urge it to make it central since it’s a
critical role that water and sanitation plays in human development.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the global faces of this subject, Professor Anna
Tibaijuka, a Member of Parliament for Muleba South, says that since goal 6 of
the Sustainable Development Goals is to “Ensure availability and sustainable
management of water and sanitation for all”, the government should make it
central in the new budget whose implementation started in July.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is an important recognition of the critical role that
water and sanitation plays in human development, and hence, its function in the
elimination of poverty in our countries. The effort reached this far to forge
global partnership to address the means of implementation to achieve the SDGs
is fundamental in social and economic progress not only for Tanzania but to all
countries which are still lagging behind to fully achieve the SDGs,” she notes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prof Tibaijuka, who is the former chairperson of Water
Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), says that in the SDGs, the
countries are called on to improve not only drinking water and sanitation but
comprehensively to deal with other challenges too, such as, water quality,
reduce amount of untreated wastewater, reduce water scarcity, implement
integrated water resources management and trans-boundary cooperation, and
protect water related ecosystems.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W-ycKzeJSmA5QWrCn1q_EWCa_x0EDY6AIA8iCMiWEw4Tadaw-kS_ktwkqK7qvnmhKYZPwloIMxHGISOrA1ak3k-Sosp_GabvCTowYGdtzaHrIlAH_Fn4pIw0Dn5g5HXjDzoS6aPnkMM/s1600/ATM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W-ycKzeJSmA5QWrCn1q_EWCa_x0EDY6AIA8iCMiWEw4Tadaw-kS_ktwkqK7qvnmhKYZPwloIMxHGISOrA1ak3k-Sosp_GabvCTowYGdtzaHrIlAH_Fn4pIw0Dn5g5HXjDzoS6aPnkMM/s640/ATM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initiatives like the drinking ATM installed in India by the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation where clean drinking water is sold at near give away prices will go a long to increasing access to this invaluable liquid if replicated</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Targets 6.1 and 6.2, the two targets related to drinking
water and sanitation, set a higher benchmark than the MDGs did not, they
emphasize on universal and equitable access.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She adds that the government of Tanzania on its side has
participated in the formulation and implementation of these development
frameworks. There are a number of interventions in water and sanitation
programs that have been envisaged for some time now, with all aimed at
improvement of water and sanitation status in the country.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She recognizes the Water Sector Development Program, an
effort to comprehensively improve status of people with access to safe, clean
and equitable provision of water services in urban and rural; and improving
access to improved sanitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is a flagship project for the Government and the WASH
Sector to ensure that more communities are reached with improved water and sanitation
services in Tanzania,” she adds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Global Sanitation Fund, the world’s only multi-donor
financing facility dedicated to sanitation, supports the development of
national sanitation and hygiene improvement programmes, which are
community-based, government-enabled and commercially operated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tanzania is among the beneficiary countries and the program
is going hand in hand with and supports the country’s National Sanitation
Campaign by facilitating communities improve their sanitation and adopt
sustainable hygiene practices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Community
Development Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya, says
that Tanzania as a country and member of UN is signatory in the adoption of
this agenda of taking stock and re-strategizing for effective delivery of
sanitation and hygiene work, since it aligns very much with countries efforts
to attain set targets for meeting the SDGs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He cited that the key role of improved sanitation and safe
water supply in the poverty alleviation and economic development efforts at
large.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Our commitment to achieve equitable access to sanitation
and safe water is anchored to our recognition that, access to those public
services is a pre-requisite for all Tanzanians to lead a life of human dignity;
a cause that extends beyond metrics and results to touch on the daily lives of
our people,” he says.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tanzania as a country and member of UN is signatory in the
adoption of this Agenda.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the SDGs, the countries are called on to improve not only
drinking water and sanitation but comprehensively to deal with other challenges
too, such as, water quality, reduce amount of untreated wastewater, reduce
water scarcity, implement integrated water resources management and
trans-boundary cooperation, and protect water related ecosystems. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tanzania has formulated The Water Sector Development Program
with the aim of comprehensively improving the status of people with access to
safe, clean and equitable provision of water services in urban and rural; and
improving access to improved sanitation. The Program took off on July, 2007. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The National Sanitation Campaign was launched in June 2012
to facilitate the sensitization and provision sanitation and hygiene services in
Tanzania. The GSF supported program USAFI WA MAZINGIRA TANZANIA (UMATA) is the
key support to provision of lessons for improvement the National Sanitation
Campaign. Its implementation has taken the direction that allows government
systems to capture results and lessons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order to encourage good management and prevent excessive
profiteering of only specific group of operators, standard contracts will be developed.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation in collaboration with
the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government will
supervise the recruitment of registrars at Local Government Authority by 2016.
The later will be responsible for registration of Community Owned Water Supply
Organizations (COWSOs).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ministry of Health needs to develop a guideline that
stipulates focus areas on promoting sanitation and hygiene which all the
stakeholders will be engaged. This measure will ensure the common goal on
sanitation and hygiene is attainable and that through this approach the country
commits itself to increase access to improved sanitation to 53 per cent and
reduce ODF from 12 per cent to 6 per cent by 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs01JZsWpCtPTQkfdDr3BYfn-G-1cg8xbGQwMbDOVGlhwv5p2LTKb65H6m1e_yl3tIAO-HIEIpCiqkqZOwffm5DjUXmXPX3-y8NFFyr0006ydyzR5J_eraVZp0YaYDeQkObO-21uuv0_E/s1600/Infographic_light_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs01JZsWpCtPTQkfdDr3BYfn-G-1cg8xbGQwMbDOVGlhwv5p2LTKb65H6m1e_yl3tIAO-HIEIpCiqkqZOwffm5DjUXmXPX3-y8NFFyr0006ydyzR5J_eraVZp0YaYDeQkObO-21uuv0_E/s640/Infographic_light_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A mechanism to be established by the Ministries of Water,
Health and Education to accelerate the mobilization of resources both human and
financial which are required for the implementation of sanitation and hygiene
interventions. Inadequate resources have been identified as among the barriers
to improved service delivery on sanitation and hygiene services in the country.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water, Local Government
Authorities in collaboration with the network of CSOs will work together to
strengthen the private sector participation in the delivery of sanitation and
hygiene service by building capacities to the same and creating enabling
environment to access technical support and open up the business opportunities
on the sector. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The private sector involvement in sanitation and hygiene is
expected to be of great importance in strengthening the supply chain on sanitation
and hygiene services. Tanzania has set targets to achieve 100 per cent ODF by
2019. This is an ambitious goal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE TANZANIA REPORTS<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-48876626726342101762016-07-20T09:55:00.002+03:002016-07-20T09:55:38.747+03:00Advanced technology cut-down water conflicts in Pangani Basin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvm3-GIeH1usaXtt0Nm22iR_GljjaFU6Xvg_-i3QBYbhQrCtmotoZb2IO6lLFKz447ca28WZBkGBoWOx83yRWiSKGhWnBbx48PN5seWAwvQ1oldTW6uSHKFkjAk73Lm-Mubm25hTolGQ/s1600/Pangani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvm3-GIeH1usaXtt0Nm22iR_GljjaFU6Xvg_-i3QBYbhQrCtmotoZb2IO6lLFKz447ca28WZBkGBoWOx83yRWiSKGhWnBbx48PN5seWAwvQ1oldTW6uSHKFkjAk73Lm-Mubm25hTolGQ/s640/Pangani.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PANGANI Basin Water Board officials collect water samples to test for salinity levels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
THE introduction of high tech equipment for monitoring and modeling
water resources in Pangani Basin has helped to reduce conflicts related to
water allocation and improved the management of the resource.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was revealed in Dar es Salaam yesterday by a local
Consultant with Pangani Basin, Mr Hosea Sanga, at the ongoing exhibitions to
mark the 6th Africa Water Week which commenced on Monday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said that through the use of smart stick, Pangani Basin
has managed to get reliable data on water which are crucial for planning and
management of water, but also reduced conflicts related to water allocation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Sanga further said that the data are also useful in
helping the communities to resolve water allocation conflicts during river
committee and water user association meetings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Ministry of water and Irrigation in Pangani Basin needs
data in order to make decisions because it is responsible for allocating water to
farmers, but also the data is crucial in decision making and planning,” Mr
Sanga noted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He added that the technology has helped farmers to have
modern way of knowing what level of water they have to allocate to their
respective farms. Expounding, he said the use of the high tech equipment is
being promoted through the Innovation in Monitoring, Modeling and Managing
Water project being implemented in Pangani Basin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfsHrhnJATTXr1kizeyQzcnBhdPbIPeEeFJh13L7C-vxZgcBvzoE5TPF2_k_hYwuH1SOXE8TMmT3OIDusCUnB3lijPVbb0GXQ2RpFgfGxTk8vuib25vhtMyVQ2dxkiF3Ktq2i6c8XxiA/s1600/Farm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfsHrhnJATTXr1kizeyQzcnBhdPbIPeEeFJh13L7C-vxZgcBvzoE5TPF2_k_hYwuH1SOXE8TMmT3OIDusCUnB3lijPVbb0GXQ2RpFgfGxTk8vuib25vhtMyVQ2dxkiF3Ktq2i6c8XxiA/s400/Farm.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to technology, farmers are able to know the amount of water needed </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said the project is being
implemented through the Ministry of Water and Irrigation in collaboration with
the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Currently, the project has designed and developed a smart
stick for measuring water levels in the furrows ... the smart stick is used by
communities for managing allocation of water at the farm level. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Sanga noted
that before the introduction of the smart stick, farmers were using normal
stick with some markers during allocation of water but the new technology has
helped to know what level of water they have and can allocate to their
respective farms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Acting Basin Water Officer for Pangani Basin Water Board, Mr
Philipo Patrick, said that the basin is facing water scarcity due to
unprecedented pressure from population growth and highly irregular rains. He
said more than 50 per cent of the area is semi-arid or arid receiving less than
600mm per year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Patrick said sometime the water allocation is done on
rationing to ensure that it satisfy the demand. Patrick said that Pangani basin
has a number of water disputes due to water scarcity, thus the allocation of
the precious liquid normally based on the Water Allocation Policy which provide
priority to water for domestic and environment use.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chairman for Upper Kikuletwa Water User Association Tito
KitomarI said that with a range of stakeholders, the Imomo Initiative has been
working in the Thermi River for helping communities to make better water
decision through greater transparency about allocation activities and on water
availability in different parts of the catchment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said that currently reported water disputes have dropped
from 30 per year to one or none.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE DAILY NEWS </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-13976070423601697152016-07-18T11:27:00.002+03:002016-07-18T11:27:19.752+03:00Africa Water Week starts in Dar es Salaam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Africa Water Week (aww) is convened by the African Ministers Council on Water
(AMCOW) in conjunction with the African Union Commission and organized with
other development partners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
represents a political commitment at the highest level with over 1000
participants from governments, regional institutions, international partners,
the private sector, the scientific community, civil society, and the media from
all over the world, and in particular Africa, meeting to discuss and collectively
seek solutions to Africa’s water resources, and sanitation challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
is now held biennially in keeping with the decision of the AMCOW to
institutionalize AWW in order to build momentum on achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) related to water security and sanitation by 2030, and
the 2025 Africa Water Vision as well as crystallizing the way to actualizing
Africa’s Agenda 2063.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDMnbygBg8KPMJMt8QfFmsuzwBwz0usOLv3DmbzEL-pQPlk1qbDYvOCGYyQr2BAKvF_hBPQniiR519TKqde2Gf5SS0sG-8pQsoFv_Tc-k0_V5MxmDnEiFnksrgR4rmuSpHYswtTr209E/s1600/Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDMnbygBg8KPMJMt8QfFmsuzwBwz0usOLv3DmbzEL-pQPlk1qbDYvOCGYyQr2BAKvF_hBPQniiR519TKqde2Gf5SS0sG-8pQsoFv_Tc-k0_V5MxmDnEiFnksrgR4rmuSpHYswtTr209E/s640/Water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
first under the SDG era, it has as its theme “Achieving the SDGs on Water
Security and Sanitation”. The choice of the theme is driven by the recognition
of the importance of laying the building blocks for Africa to achieve the SDG 6
as well as other inter-linking SDGs connected with water resources management
and improved sanitation service delivery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
conference that starts from July 18 to July 22, 2016 will have a number of high
level speakers including a keynote address from President John Magufuli, the
Vice President, Ms Samia Suluhu, the AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and
Agriculture, AMCOW President and Senegalese Minister for Hygiene and Sanitation,
the former Prime Minister of Korea and UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on
Disaster Risk Reduction and Water, Han Seung-soo among others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
also represents the quest in the continent to place emphasis on matching
commitments and plans with concrete actions with impact on the ground. It
highlights Africa’s undaunted focus to achieving the Agenda 2063, the
continent’s global strategy to optimize use of Africa’s resources for the
overall benefit of all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchiqRoyVme3DE4e9AJrutcrr2rvsCWHJ13RGtj51Dox8Xg1xEb3Fcq_F6Sa5pob_rzDcpc1jBRBq8YKSPGGD65W9cN6lpaHfRDNLVts64LeoySOSgnJ9DaCWqEvcrFK2Hg73VFr-TxbM/s1600/Water+safety+Plan+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchiqRoyVme3DE4e9AJrutcrr2rvsCWHJ13RGtj51Dox8Xg1xEb3Fcq_F6Sa5pob_rzDcpc1jBRBq8YKSPGGD65W9cN6lpaHfRDNLVts64LeoySOSgnJ9DaCWqEvcrFK2Hg73VFr-TxbM/s640/Water+safety+Plan+3.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The
main outcome of the 6th Africa Water Week will be a roadmap for developing a
comprehensive plan of action for Africa aimed at immediate translation of the
high-level commitments including N’gor Declaration on Water Security and
Sanitation into implementation at country, sub-regional and continental levels.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is expected to lead to development of appropriate policies, high quality
actions matched with strong motivation to implement them, and increased
investment at various levels. The programmes implemented from these plans will
contribute to poverty alleviation, health improvements, social development and
economic growth in Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Africa Water Vision 2025 recognizes the pivotal role that sustainable use and
management of water can play in poverty alleviation, socioeconomic development
and sustenance of ecosystems and biodiversity. The vision also calls for
effective and sustainable strategies to address water resources problems due to
climate variability and change.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040564622535956142.post-21341326817376858802016-07-18T10:12:00.000+03:002016-07-18T10:12:15.426+03:00Bangladesh stops open defecation in just over a decade <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VgjPCnAG-IcUn_CSqlVderFw-r0b7h-_virtobwn0mRYSBUB_61ziVvL18lZedsoBJTyLSdxWzzqT2xQAEf6IxndnHucRluCVnVmiE9QfZuNIRkT5yqb9qWj8ihRKClw_Z3T1EX9Bps/s1600/Bangladesh.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VgjPCnAG-IcUn_CSqlVderFw-r0b7h-_virtobwn0mRYSBUB_61ziVvL18lZedsoBJTyLSdxWzzqT2xQAEf6IxndnHucRluCVnVmiE9QfZuNIRkT5yqb9qWj8ihRKClw_Z3T1EX9Bps/s640/Bangladesh.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: #888888; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Bangladesh, village
water, sanitation and hygiene committees have an active core of women to
contribute to community decisions</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Answering nature’s call was once a nightmare for Rashida
Begum, who had to creep around the jungle for a suitably private spot. Her home
had no toilet, like thousands of others in her crowded cluster of farming
villages outside the capital. In just over a decade, that’s all changed, in her neighborhood
and many others.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through a dogged campaign to build toilets and educate
Bangladeshis about the dangers of open defecation, the densely populated South
Asian nation has managed to reduce the number of people who defecate in the
open to just 1 per cent of the 166 million population, according to the
government — down from 42 percent in 2003.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Once it was our habit to go to the fields or jungles. Now,
it is shameful to us,” Begum said in Bormi, a cluster of poor farming villages
just outside Dhaka, the capital. “Even our children do not defecate openly
anymore. We do not need to ask them; they do it on their own.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bangladesh’s success in sanitation — something so far
unattained by its wealthier neighbor to the west, India — came from a campaign
supported by 25 per cent of the country’s overall development budget.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The government has made a huge commitment,” said Akramul
Islam, director of water, sanitation and hygiene for BRAC, an international
development association. “The government decided that funds should go to the
extreme poor who do not have latrines. So that basically gives a big push from
the public sector for spending on sanitation.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Hhs-anNyQtmc5feGbohrC0NxjU2DLQLO6xNOm6NyGri_HktZevlfiRe-UrAh5n5vrjKBfFbFStU1EVsTPihBCcBKrCJYkUGouXKQ08M2WZF-bHsLpKoMqXM_tTwDjKc9gD1YZy3AqY/s1600/PPP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Hhs-anNyQtmc5feGbohrC0NxjU2DLQLO6xNOm6NyGri_HktZevlfiRe-UrAh5n5vrjKBfFbFStU1EVsTPihBCcBKrCJYkUGouXKQ08M2WZF-bHsLpKoMqXM_tTwDjKc9gD1YZy3AqY/s640/PPP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With attractive frameworks for Public Private Partnerships, the private sector can play a major role in improving the sanitation situation in many countries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The government’s engineers partnered with village councils
and charities to spread the message on how toilets are key to better health.
Rising incomes — moving from an average of $1,154 in 2012-13 to $1,314 in the
past fiscal year, according to the World Bank — also helped to drive demand,
Islam said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Activists say small-scale surveys show the campaign has
improved public health, though there are not yet any government statistics to
prove it more broadly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We see clearly that there is a decline in waterborne
diseases and diarrheal diseases, so there is a clear link there,” Islam said,
while acknowledging that the improvement was something “we have to study.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Begum said her children have had no stomach illnesses since
she installed an in-house toilet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Open defecation is considered a major public health menace,
causing childhood diarrhea, parasitic worm infections and other scourges that
contribute to childhood stunting, malnutrition and tens of billions of dollars
in lost productivity every year. Diarrheal diseases kill 700,000 children every
year in India alone — most of which could have been prevented with better
sanitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
India has spent about $3 billion since 1986 on campaigning
and sanitation programs but has not come close to Bangladesh’s success.
Two-thirds of India’s 1.25 billion people still use the great outdoors as their
public latrine. About half of Nepal’s 30 million people and about 20 percent of
Pakistan’s 182 million also do not have facilities at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxetd8fz3ofcdBPpUU4ABh9XITwxfbj5SeqBCCr5XrfUqkQYEzbjdsCp8FJkRQfg9Cm1V8k0h0p-PTG3Ceg7698Su5MRXR5MuMrv1PzkRDtx0rxKWnIoI9FEXWc-p2_ymc9dcROc313Q/s1600/ODF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxetd8fz3ofcdBPpUU4ABh9XITwxfbj5SeqBCCr5XrfUqkQYEzbjdsCp8FJkRQfg9Cm1V8k0h0p-PTG3Ceg7698Su5MRXR5MuMrv1PzkRDtx0rxKWnIoI9FEXWc-p2_ymc9dcROc313Q/s320/ODF.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bangladesh’s sanitation victory didn’t come easy. Millions
of dollars from the government and charities were spent, and campaign
volunteers said they worked hard to change public attitudes and habits.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We had to do fierce campaigning,” said Mohammed Badal
Sarker, chairman of a local village council. “We provided schoolchildren with
whistles to alert the villagers. It worked like magic.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Children were encouraged to shout slogans like “Defecating
in the open is the enemy of the people” and “No one will marry your daughter if
you do not have a toilet at home.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is still cause for concern. Bangladesh’s overpopulated
urban areas are proving to be more of a challenge, mostly because the
opportunity for contaminating the water supply is much greater.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“People might be using a toilet or a latrine, but then where
does the human waste go from there?” said John Sauer, senior technical adviser
of the Washington-based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Population Services
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Waste water could be dumped on a field where children play
or where food is grown, he said: “We must address where the human waste goes
and how it is treated, disposed or reused.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SOURCE DAILY RECORD<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960968036055618764noreply@blogger.com0