Outcome and Impact of the upscaling Rural Sanitation through PATS Approach Project in District Tharparkar

Abstract

This paper presents the detailed evaluation of WASH project implemented in Tharparkar by a local NGO, sponsored by UNICEF. Tharparkar, being one of the lowest districts on HDI, is the desert belt with acute water shortage, poor sanitation and deteriorated hygiene conditions. To address WASH needs UNICEF sponsored a project. The evaluation of this project was done using mixed research methods. The results reveal that in the project area the reliance on ground water has decreased from 74% to 51%. People have shifted to alternative water sources like rainwater harvesting and storage of safe water. The evaluation found that open defection practices have decreased by 35% in targeted villages. Hygiene conditions improved, like handwashing on critical times from 40% to 70%. Overall, 10% of households in the district have achieved Open Defecation Free status. The study recommends implementing upscale community interventions to curb open defection and improve WASH conditions in Tharparkar.