WASH Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) go digital in Nepal

Early this month, SNV in Nepal and local governments entered into a partnership with the Digital Broadcast Initiative Equal Access to digitise SNV WASH SOP training modules for schools, health care facilities, and as these relate to the occupational health and safety of sanitation workers. The partnership emerged in light of the success of digital media in spreading COVID-19 related life-saving information.

‘It is good to hear that SNV is going digital, and that we are part of it,’ said Ram Bahadur Chand, Chief of Health Division in Nepalgunj Sub-Metro City. He explained, I believe that SOP-related trainings will reach the target audience and create awareness on hygiene behaviours to trigger desired behaviour change processes. Furthermore, going digital will be more effective in reaching the target audience.’

The upcoming digital training package will promote inclusive, safe, and accessible Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) behaviours in English, Nepali, Maithili, and Awadhi languages. Designed as a distant and self-paced learning package, training modules will be accessible through a web-based platform. An android-based application format will also be launched to facilitate on-the-go learning, online and offline. The web platform and app will contain a live dashboard so that users can easily track the progress they are making against set learning goals. It will also include 2D animated videos.

Over 1,500 people will be trained on the use of the digital training package. Trainees will include city mayors, municipal authorities, government officials, faecal sludge management private operators/service providers, and representatives from School Management Committees (SMCs) in the cities of Khadak, Nepalgunj, Chandannath, and Birendranagar.

‘It is crucial to strengthen the capacities of schools on WASH… The digital training of SOPs in school will bring added value by enhancing the capacity of SMC,’ noted Yamlal Giri, Sanitation Focal Person of Birendranagar Municipality. Added Shovah Shah, Chief of Women and Child Department in Nepalgunj, 'SMCs will become more responsible in managing WASH activities in school, not just limited to safe water and sanitation but also to overseeing key hygiene behaviours.’

To reach remote communities with no Internet connection, a toll free IVR setup for NTC and NCELL users will be set up. Training content through these service providers may be accessed by dialing a toll-free number.

Written by: Sunetra Lala, with inputs from Krishna GC, Parwati Dangal, Suraj Rajbhandari, SNV in Nepal and Rajani Humagain, DBI EA
Photo by Josh Sorenson from Pexels
More information
[1] SNV in Nepal accelerated its digitisation efforts in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in 2021. Following the need to disseminate COVID-19 prevention measures amid lockdowns and restrictions to movement, SNV partnered with Viamo to make information accessible for wider audiences. Read, Parts of Nepal go digital in their WASH response to COVID-19 | SNV World
[2] SNV's urban sanitation programme is largely being implemented as part of the WASH SDG Consortium project, which is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
[3] For more information, contact Sunetra Lala, WASH Sector Leader, SNV in Nepal, by email.