In 1983, Nepal Red Cross Society launched the Primary Health Care and Drinking Water Project (PHC/ DWP) in cooperation with Japanese Red Cross Society. This project was implemented in 12 districts viz. Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Nawalparasi, Kapilbastu, Rupandehi, Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet, Syangja, Kaski and Tanahun for a decade (1983 - 1993) in two phases.

After the experience of the two phases and the evaluation study in 1992, PHC/DWP was renamed as " Drinking Water and Sanitation Program"(DWSP). With an added emphasis on software components, the rural community based program was implemented in seven districts viz. Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Tanahun, Kaski, Syangja and Surkhet from July 1993 to July 1998.

Over the 15 years this program has facilitated, 1,350,961 population with safe drinking water, which is more than 6% of the total population of Nepal in 1998.

During the three phases of the program, UNICEF had supported in tubewell and latrine component for more than a decade in Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts.

Currently, Nepal and Japan Red Cross Societies are operating the fourth phase of the DWSP (1998/'99 -2002/'003), with additional emphasis on the institutional development, in Chitwan, Ilam, Panchthar, Sarlahi, Saptari and Jhapa. The Program has covered 14 VDCs in total during the period. To be more precise, the program will have facilitated about 80,000 population through its service and benefits by July 2003.

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM
The Program will contribute to the reduction of the morbidity and mortality through the creation of health and sanitation awareness, through the provision of drinking water and sanitary units, through the institutional development and through human resource development in the selected vulnerable communities of the six districts of Nepal.

	TARGET GROUP
	The vulnerable households of 11 VDCs of three Terai districts and three VDCs of three hill districts.
	District Chapters and Sahayog Samiti/Sub Chapters.
	PROGRAM COMPONENTS
	Community Development
	Human resources development.
	Raising of health and sanitation awareness.
	Support for the provision of hardware like drinking water and sanitary units i.e. latrine, washing platform, improved cook-stove etc.
	Support for the other supplementary activities like tree plantation, nursery and kitchen garden.
	Institutional Development
	Capacity building of the district Chapter, Sahayog Samiti / Sub-Chapter through various training, /workshops and observation tours.
	Financial strengthening through the financial support in income generating programs.
	Organizational strengthening through the increased number of Red Cross membership and formation of SS/ SC .
	Creation of legal base, accounting and managerial procedures

Contact: dwsp@nrcs.org