Source South Asia 2009, Issue 15

Published - 13 Feb 09

South Asia - General

Asia: Unilever to replicate Project Shakti on other international markets

Consumer product multinational Unilever has started replicating the successful Project Shakti in a number of other international markets. The project, run by Hindustan Unilever (HUL), supports women-led rural micro-enterprises in India.

Asia: water supplies threatened by melting glaciers

Water supplies for nearly two billion people in China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan may be under threat as glaciers on the Tibetan plateau melt under the effects of global warming.

Afghanistan: OCHA Humanitarian Action Plan appeals for US$18.6 million for water and sanitation

The 2009 Humanitarian Action Plan for Afghanistan, submitted by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), includes an appeal from over 20 NGOs for US$ 18.6 million in funding for water and sanitation projects.

Bangladesh: government reaffirms promise to make drinking water arsenic-free by 2013

Speaking at the biennial conference of the Bangladesh Chemical Society on 30 January, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhit reaffirmed the government's pledge to make the country's drinking water arsenic free by 2013.

Bangladesh: 75% of complaints by water consumers receive no response

A survey of 400 clients of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) in four divisional cities in Bangladesh has revealed that 75% of complaints received no response.

India, Andhra Pradesh: stream polluted by world’s highest levels of drugs

A team of researchers led by Joakim Larsson of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has discovered that a stream in Patancheru, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, contains the world's highest levels of drugs.

India, Bihar: Gram Gaurav Yatra launched to promote sanitation

To sensitise people to the importance of health and hygiene, a month-long Gram Gaurav Yatra (solidarity march) has been launched in the Indian state fo Bihar to promote sanitation.

Nepal, Kathamandu Valley: water tariffs increased

Water tariffs in the Kathmandu Valley have been increased, to allow the government to award the tunnel construction contract for the large-scale Melamchi Water Supply Contract.

Nepal, Kathmandu Valley: fifty percent leakage in ageing drinking water system

Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), responsible for supplying water to the Kathmandy Valley area, says that the ageing supply system is suffering 50% leakage.

Pakistan: Memorandum of Understanding with U.S. to support clean drinking water project

The United States government and the Government of Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the Pakistani Government’s Clean Drinking Water for All project.

Sri Lanka: fewer deaths from dengue fever, but vigilance called for

Four years after Sri Lanka’s worst outbreak of dengue fever, the number of deaths is declining. Health officials are, however, calling for greater vigilance to prevent a resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease

Cholera: incidence under-reported, millions infected every year says WHO

According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of cholera is being systematically under-reported. It estimates that the disease is infecting millions of people a year, 10 times more than the number of cases reported.

Mustafa Talpar: new Regional Advocacy and Policy Advisor (RAPA) for WaterAid Asia

Mustafa Talpar of WaterAid Pakistan has been recruited as Regional Advocacy and Policy Advisor (RAPA) for Asia. He will replace James Wicken, who has moved to Australia as Head of Policy, WaterAid Australia.

Field Water Engineer, Kohistan, Pakistan

For 'the world’s largest independent humanitarian organisation”, Skills for Causes is recruiting a Field Water Engineer to support delivery of the organisation's Recovery programme, specifically the activities relating to water schemes in four villages in Kohistan, Pakistan.

Apply before Friday 13 February 2009

Water Supply and Sanitation Program Manager, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka (anticipated position)

The Water and Rehabilitation Department Manager will supervise, orientate and support all the activities linked to provision of water, sanitation and reconstruction. She/he will support each activity manager in planning their activities, and will be responsible for mainstreaming ACTED activities on water, sanitation and rehabilitation.

Apply before Saturday 28 February 2009

Junior Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Advisor, SNV, Nepal

The Jr. WASH Advisor's primary role is to contribute to capacity building of WASH clients (local government and NGOs) in the Western Portfolio of Nepal.

Apply before Friday 13 February 2009

South Asia: ADB to develop improved training programs for water and sanitation operators

The Asian Development Bank is to lead a technical assistance project to build capacity and skills for the delivery of water and sanitation services. The project will be funded by the Republic of Korea.

Twinning: boosting performance in Asian water utilities

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has adopted twinning as a key initiative in its Water Operators' Partnership (WOPs) Program. WOPs promotes knowledge sharing and builds the capacity of water operators and utilities in the Asia and the Pacific region.

Corruption prevention: lessons from a community management sanitation programme in Kerala, India

Experts estimate that 20-30% of funds and materials are diverted from sanitation programmes in South India due to corruption. The Socio-Economic Unit Foundation has successfully employed a number of anti-corruption strategies in a household sanitation programme that has become a model for many other regions in India.