As the world marks World Toilet Day, experiences from Nepal highlight how trust and community ownership are crucial for strengthening resilience against climate-related shocks. Climate change is intensifying water and sanitation crises, with floods damaging toilets and pipelines, droughts limiting hygiene, and failing sanitation systems increasing the spread of diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera. These challenges demonstrate why the IFRC and its National Societies work closely with communities to expand access to safe water and improve hygiene and sanitation practices, especially in remote regions.
In Nepal’s hillside communities, the Enabling Action for Community Health Project is showing how behaviour change grows through personal connections. For elderly farmer Puri Lal Devkota and his wife, regular visits from a local volunteer helped them understand the importance of safe water storage and proper sanitation. Her respectful guidance earned their trust, motivating them to build their own toilet and adopt safer hygiene practices without external financial assistance. These changes have brought greater comfort, security, and confidence to their daily lives.
Another community member, Supari Luhar, also transformed her life after months of engagement through the same programme. After years of struggling without a proper toilet or running water, she built her own facility and adopted safer hygiene habits once she had support and access to a water tap. Empowered by her progress, she now guides neighbouring households, helping several families improve their sanitation practices and becoming a role model for change within the community.
These individual stories show how lasting sanitation improvements come from working directly with communities, building trust through volunteers who understand local realities, and fostering genuine ownership rather than relying solely on external support. When people feel empowered, change spreads naturally, creating stronger and more resilient communities.
Despite progress, nearly half of the world’s population still lacks safely managed sanitation. The experiences of households in Nepal demonstrate that climate-resilient sanitation requires both infrastructure and strong community engagement. As global challenges grow, the commitment to ensuring dignity, safety, and access to sanitation for all remains essential.
