Addressing Climate Vulnerability in Nepal Through Resilient and Inclusive WASH Systems (RES-WASH)
International Water Management Institute
Climate Resilience Research (WRA-CR05)
Led by the International Water Management Institute, the RES-WASH project aims to generate accessible data and information on climate resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability of WASH services to arm stakeholders in the Dailekh and Sarlahi districts of Nepal with this critical knowledge in the face of climate change.
Research theme: Climate change vulnerability and risk in Nepal and implications for inclusive WASH services
Research focus: An assessment of climate change vulnerability and risk in two Nepalese districts – mountainous Dailekh in western Nepal and Sarlahi, situated in the eastern plains – with consideration of the gendered and social vulnerabilities of women, girls, people with disabilities, and marginalised communities.
Location: Dailekh and Sarlahi districts, Nepal
Partners: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Bagmati Welfare Society Nepal (Sarlahi district), Everest Club (Dailekh district), The Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal
Key Research Questions:
- What are the vulnerabilities and risks to WASH resources and infrastructure in a changing climate context in Nepal?
- What are gendered and social vulnerabilities related to WASH experienced by marginalised women, girls and people with disabilities?
- What strategies are needed to strengthen the institutional capacity of WASH service providers and local communities in achieving climate-resilient inclusive WASH?
"We are excited about bridging a knowledge gap in Nepal by conducting a thorough assessment of climate risks and vulnerabilities in mid-hill (Dailekh) and plains (Sarlahi) districts in Nepal. Our focus will be on understanding how these factors are specifically related to resilient and inclusive WASH services.”
Santosh Nepal, International Water Management Institute project lead
Research Description
Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate change, with around 80% of the population identified as at risk from climate-related impacts. This research project aims to build climate resilience by addressing the impacts of climate change on Nepal's WASH sector and vulnerable populations. Climate-induced hazards, such as floods and landslides, disproportionately affect marginalised communities. Previous research identified knowledge gaps and limited understanding of integrating gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) in WASH planning and implementation.
The IWMI Water for Women project in Nepal (2018-2022) revealed a lack of capacity, agency, and resources among local authorities to plan, design and implement GEDSI-informed WASH interventions. Local stakeholders also lacked comprehension of the impact of climate change, water-related hazards, environmental degradation, and social/gender-related issues on WASH planning and decision-making.
The innovation significance of this research project lies in its focus on the interrelated challenges of climate change, WASH and gender, and using this evidence base to strengthen the capacity of key WASH sector actors at the local level, particularly local governments in Dailekh and Sarlahi districts.
This research recognises the climatic hazards, including temperature increase, intense precipitation, droughts, floods and landslides, and their impact on WASH and water security, access, and the health of vulnerable populations. By addressing these interconnected issues and developing insights, data and guidance, the research contributes to building climate resilience in Nepal's WASH sector and improving the health of rural communities.
Working in partnership with Bagmati Welfare Society Nepal in Sarlahi, Everest Club in Dailekh, The Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal, this project aims to improve local capacity and knowledge on climate-resilient, sustainable and inclusive WASH by producing scientific data, information and knowledge, and ensuring their outreach, accessibility and use by local stakeholders, especially local governments. This evidence and knowledge will guide efforts to strengthen local actors' capacity for climate-resilient and inclusive WASH approaches.
The research objectives are to:
- Assess the vulnerability of WASH infrastructure and facilities to climatic and non-climatic hazards.
- Identify the gendered and social vulnerabilities related to WASH and climate change experienced by diverse groups of women, girls, people with disabilities, and marginalised communities.
- Improve knowledge and capacity for effective WASH systems, programs and institutional mechanisms that are more inclusive and climate resilient.
The research involves a comprehensive Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, which includes key activities such as:
- existing data exploration and collection
- hazard identification
- assessment of future climate hazard and risk
- development of a composite multi-hazard map
- analysis of vulnerability and risk indexes, gendered and social vulnerabilities
- qualitative research
- climate and GEDSI reviews of WASH-related policies and interventions.
Based on these findings, partners and other stakeholders are using the research for policy advocacy and capacity-building. The research is influencing WASH policy and practice by generating evidence and proposing solutions to enhance climate-resilient WASH that address risk and vulnerabilities in gender and social inclusivity.
It is also improving local government, practitioners and stakeholders' expertise on sustainable, climate-resilient, inclusive WASH through dedicated capacity-building activities, research dissemination and awareness-building activities. This evidence-based knowledge informs planning, design, and implementation of approaches to strengthen the capacity of key local actors, who can positively influence the planning, design and delivery of more climate-resilient and inclusive WASH programs and services.
As well as contributions towards resilient and inclusive WASH, this research will inform and support a greater number of local governments and NGOs to consider climate-resilient WASH beyond the project cycle.
Empowered by Water: A woman fetches water from the handpump, strong and happy in Sarlahi district (Onion Films)
Pathways to impact
- Improved climate change impacts database on the potential effects on water resources, infrastructure, and water supply in rural municipalities, and related GEDSI risks, challenges, inequities, and the responses of the government and CSOs to tackle these challenges.
- Improved knowledge and understanding of policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and communities on WASH-climate-GEDSI links and intersections, and adaptation options.
- Strengthened local government capacity for GEDSI responsive climate-resilient WASH planning and policies adhering to the national climate change policies.
Research partners bring broader experiences and mandates such as data science, policy advocacy and policy uptake, local coordination and capacity building and outreach activities, which contribute to achieving these research outcomes.
“It is critical to understand the vulnerability and risk at the local level, ensuring that this vital information is readily accessible to facilitate informed decision-making within the local community. By providing local authorities with our accessible vulnerability and risk assessment approach, we empower them to make context specific decisions that promote resilient WASH service delivery.”
Uttam Babu Shrestha, Director, Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, Nepal
Water for Women is proud to be partnering with the International Water Management Institute, Bagmati Welfare Society Nepal, Everest Club, The Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal for this important research work.
Feature photo: An elderly man fills his bucket at the handpump, as others await their turn in Sarlahi district (Onion Films)
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