Civil Society organisations are playing a major role in organising SACOSAN IV. Water Aid, Freshwater Action Network-South Asia and WSSCC is in join hands to engage SACOSAN IV process.

Centre for Environmental Justice is the host organisation for the Civil society actions.

Civil Sciety event will be held in April 1-2 in Hotel Tamarind Tree in Peellawatta, Minuwangoda.

More information Dilhara Fonseka jeewanthidilhara@gmail.com

Reading Material

Brochure for National Workshop on 4th South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN IV) published by CEJ/FOE Sri Lanka

Sinhala | Tamil | English

Potable Water and safe Sanitation are two sides of a coin. Access to safe and affordable water is a basic right. Sanitation is fundamental to personal hygiene and for maintaining a clean environment within households which is vital for family health. About 39% of the world’s population which is over 2.6 billion people do not have access to improved sanitation facilities, which is far short of achieving the MDGs for sanitation. According to the WHO if the current trend continues unchanged, many countries will miss the target set out for sanitation by 2015.

Counting the cost Poor progress on sanitation in South Asia -by Water Aid

Diarrhoea is the leading cause of child deaths in South Asia. Universal access targets have been set in the region and changes made, yet governments are still failing to act with the urgency required. At current rates of progress, the 2015 MDG target for sanitation will not be met in South Asia until 2043 – 28 years too late.

A Snapshot of Sanitation in SACOSAN Countries - WHO/UNICEF
A special tabulation based on the 2008 Report of the WHO/UNICEF - Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation (JMP)

The Delhi Declaration The Delhi Declaration was signed during the Third South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN III)“ SANITATION FOR DIGNITY AND HEALTH” November 16-21 2008, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.

• Sanitation is fundamental to personal hygiene and maintaining a clean environment within households for a healthy family.
• Sanitation means- maintaining a hygienic environment to protect public health. Improved sanitation means, ‘Using a toilet with a environmentally acceptable disposal system’.
• Adequate sanitation means ‘using a toilet to minimize health impacts’
• Access to sanitation is vital for ensuring health, dignity and sustainable social and economic development for the world’s poorest citizens.
• House hold sanitation is achieved through using a toilet with a proper substructure to dispose excreta in order to protect the living environment and ground water,.
• Hand washing after - using a toilet is an important aspect of sanitation to maintain personal and family health.
• Hygiene education and behaviour change are key to sustainable sanitation.