Nepal Project Profile
Quick Facts
Capital: Kathmandu
Population: 27,797,000
Access to Improved Sanitation: 73% of population
Key Information: Since the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck near the Capital in April, 2015, the need for clean water is greater than ever before.
WTW’s Impact: Over 20,000 people have been reached with clean water.
Water Solutions Used: Sawyer PointOne Filter, W.A.S.H. (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and rainwater catchment.
Background
Nepal is a landlocked nation with a population of over 27 million people. Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world with an estimated GDP per capita of $470. Over 42 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and only 27 percent have access to improved sanitation. Significant challenges in Nepal are directly related to water pollution and water scarcity. This level of poverty multiplies the amount of aid necessary when a disaster strikes, especially earthquakes, as Nepal sits in one of the highest earthquake prone areas on Earth.
A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the capital of Nepal on April 25, 2015 killing over 9,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands. In addition to the first quake, aftershocks continued to roar through the country for weeks and months after. This already struggling country began facing critical shortages of food, water, and basic infrastructure as a direct result of this earthquake.
Wine To Water’s Impact
Wine To Water began its operation in Nepal after the 7.8 earthquake that struck the heart of the country. Since April, over 20,000 Nepalese people have been directly impacted by numerous ground efforts across the country.
Wine To Water, in partnership with Appalachian State University, continues to work throughout Nepal. There is a huge amount of work still to be done, as people do all they can to return to a state of normalcy after such widespread devastation.
Water Solutions Used
- Sawyer Filter: The Sawyer filter is a gravity-fed system composed of absolute hollow .1-micron tubing. Sawyer filters are capable of removing 99.9999% of ALL harmful bacteria, E. coli, coliform, and protozoa. Each unit filters one liter of water per minute and can last up to 10 years.
- W.A.S.H. (water, sanitation, and hygiene): Proper training in connection with all water filters distributed is essential to the use and sustainability of Wine To Water’s operations. We’ve seen a major impact in regards to the benefits of filter use and less cases of illness among children throughout the communities in which we operate.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Wine To Water is actively working to identify and repair damaged water and sanitation infrastructures. Most often, the system can be further improved through the addition of rainwater harvesting system. Oftentimes, a school building or community center is used for rainwater harvesting.
