|
Increased availability of water alone cannot improve the quality of life in rural areas. What is also needed is the adoption of sanitation and hygienic practices. This does not mean simply constructing more latrines, but also promoting effective means of waste, excreta and garbage disposal, personal and community hygiene, clean and safe food and drinking water, and a clean and healthy
environment.
In order to effectively promote personal hygiene as a tool for environmental sanitation, WASMO has created an Environmental sanitation cell within its technical unit. WASMO introduces the communities to habitat improvement by making them aware of the need for community level sanitation, and healthy personal and community hygiene practices to reduce the risk from water borne diseases. Awareness campaigns targeting women and children in particular are being carried out in project areas through rallies, posters, games, plays, and radio and television programmes. Some of the key issues of environmental sanitation awareness are: |
| |
- Keeping drinking water sources clean
- Keeping houses, streets and the village clean
- Using soak pits for wastewater disposal and preventing water stagnation
- Using only specified bathing places for bathing and washing clothes
- Washing hands after defecation, and before cooking and eating
- Cutting nails, brushing teeth, bathing, combing hair
- Using toilets instead of defecating in the open
|
|
|
|
|
|