Celebrating 15 Years of Transformative WASH in Bhutan

Celebrating a journey together over 15 years in ensuring safe and improved water, sanitation and hygiene for all in rural Bhutan

November 2024, Thimphu, Bhutan: November 21^st marked 15 years of an enduring partnership between the Australian Government, the Royal Government of Bhutan and SNV that has improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for 215,000 rural Bhutanese, launched a Water and Sanitation Information System (WaSIS), and in 2022, realised100% sanitation coverage nationwide.

Water for Women has been partnering with SNV to improve rural water and sanitation for underserved and marginalised communities in Bhutan since 2018, representing two of five development assistance programs implemented by SNV in Bhutan with funding from the Australian Government during the past 15 years.

Testament to the transformative impact of this partnership is Bhutan’s enviable position today as one of the few countries on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6)  – Water and sanitation for all by 2030. A core focus on gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), systems strengthening, and a commitment to leave no one behind are proving pivotal.

Attending celebrations in Thimphu to mark the occasion, Ms Carly Partridge, Minister Counsellor at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, commended the Royal Government of Bhutan, SNV and local partners’ achievements: “Bhutan has taken extraordinary steps in improving sanitation and hygiene as well as well as providing safe drinking water, aligning with the concept of Gross National Happiness. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved.”

Significant improvements to WASH systems have strengthened the enabling environment for water and sanitation operators and duty bearers to deliver services in rural areas, while progress is tracked and informing continual improvements through the integration of WASH monitoring systems with the national Health Information Management System, and now the new WaSIS.

Phuntsho Tobgay, Secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, described how Bhutan had previously struggled with communicable diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene, and noted ongoing efforts to reach the last mile: “Since the launch of the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Programme in 2008 under the Ministry of Health, supported by SNV, we have made remarkable strides in improving sanitation… . While we have improved a lot in terms of sanitation, the priority is to continue collaborating to sustain these achievements and further improve sanitation and hygiene.”

Building on SNV’s Beyond the Finish Line: Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All Water for Women project, completed in 2022 having directly benefitted 204,918 people, the Towards Climate-Resilient Inclusive WASH Services in Rural Bhutan (CRIW) project is now accelerating progress. Crucial to this are SNV’s ongoing partnerships with local and national governments, public and private sector WASH actors, communities, rights holder, civil society and research organisations.

Bhutan is the world’s first carbon negative country and is making positive strides towards the SDGs, however its location in the fragile ecosystems of the Himalayas makes it highly vulnerable to climate change. An SNV study in May 2022 identified Bhutanese children, people with disability and women at highest risk due to climate change.

The CRIW project is empowering transformative leadership in WASH at all levels, equipping all community members to participate in decision-making for solutions to sustainably and equitably manage WASH resources, including targeted support to water caretakers, and to strengthen the adaptive capacities of rural water supply operators and consumer supply chains. By the end of 2024, the project aims to directly benefit 88,246* people living in Dagana, Zhemgang and Trashigang, including more than 42,740* women and girls and 7,670* people with disabilities, through climate-resilient and inclusive WASH services and systems.