(The Gist of PIB) Advisory issued on safety precautions for rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service providers

(THE GIST OF PIB) Advisory issued on safety precautions for rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service providers

With lockdown eased out and socio-economic activities resumed, it is imperative for WASH service providers to follow precautions to avoid contraction and spread of virus.
During lockdown Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti had issued an advisory to all States/UTs for ensuring safe drinking water.

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Advisory includes arranging hand-washing equipment, ensuring potable water in quarantine/isolation centres, Prioritize retrofitting in schools/ anganwadis etc.
Due to the interdependent nature of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, these three core issues are grouped together under WASH. For example, without toilets, water sources become contaminated; without clean water, basic hygiene practices are not possible.
Strengthening WASH is needed to reduce diarrhoeal deaths of children under five years, address Chemical contamination of water, reduce neonatal mortality rate etc.
Implementation of WASH projects include: increased availability of toilets, improved access to drinking water, behaviour change on hygiene and sanitation, greater accessibility to government
schemes related to water and sanitation, strengthened community-based institutions.
India has adopted programs like Swachh Bharat Mission, National Rural Drinking Water Programme, WASH in Schools, WASH in health facilities etc.