ODF assessment in Madhesh Pradesh. Findings and recommendations

This policy brief presents the main result and policy recommendations from the field level assessment of sanitation facilities in the flood risk communities of Madhesh Pradesh. The field-level data were collected from twelve local government units (eight municipalities and four rural municipalities) spread across the province's four districts. The study found several factors causing slippage in sustainable toilet use. Some households do not have toilets, while some households with toilets are still practicing open defecation (OD). The dysfunctionality of toilet is one of the most significant factors driving these households to practice open defecation. The impacts of floods have further exacerbated toilets' dysfunctionality, making them less usable for households. Furthermore, households with poor finances are already practicing OD to avoid recurring costs associated with desludging. However, to reduce this in the long run, effective public-private investments are required around building public toilets and creating a sustain-able sanitation market and services. Also required would be the establishment of proper financing mechanisms for households to access funds to build and maintain a toilet, so that it is affordable and accessible for all throughout the year.