UN-Habitat Installs Handwashing Stations in Kathmandu Markets and Slums

UN-Habitat set up touch-free handwashing facilities to curb the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The stations were installed in the capital’s vegetable markets, urban slums, and areas outside temples.

This “Water for Life” project is primarily supported by the people of Fukuoka, Japan. The communities, managed by mostly women, led in the selection of the sites, management of water and soap decisions, and the safe removal of wastewater. Four of the vegetable market handwashing stations are visited by over 10,000 customers and vendors every day. Bhagwati Adhikari, secretary of one women’s association in Nepal, noted that the handwashing stations not only encourage hygiene, but also help prevent a stigma against those who live in the Kathmandu slums.

For over a decade, UN-Habitat has been working to support Nepal’s national sanitation campaign, and the agency will continue to install handwashing facilities in 64 rural communities, overall targeting 1.4 million people.