Скачать или смотреть 'No More Fear': How Flood-Resilient Bio-Toilets Are Protecting an Odisha Village

Problem:
For the communities in the Bhadrak district of Odisha, life is dictated by water. As a flood and cyclone-prone area, devastating floods can leave the region waterlogged for up to 15 days, contaminating drinking water sources and creating severe unhygienic conditions. This leads to a high incidence of waterborne diseases. For women like Annapurna Padhi and Asima Jena, the lack of safe, private toilets meant navigating these dangers daily, especially at night or during menstruation, living in constant fear and without dignity.
Solution:
To combat this recurring crisis, WaterAid, in partnership with Standard Chartered, Washe, and Banka Bio, implemented an innovative and sustainable solution: the Banka Bio Loo. This prefabricated bio-digester toilet is specifically designed for flood-prone areas. It is installed on a raised plinth, keeping it elevated and accessible even during floods. The toilet uses an anaerobic bio-digester with a special bacterial inoculum to safely break down waste, preventing contamination of groundwater and the surrounding environment.
Impact:
The impact on villages like Jamjodi and Baharpal has been life-changing. These low-maintenance, hygienic toilets have drastically improved community health. ASHA worker Gouri Priya Nayak reports a significant reduction in illnesses like diarrhea and vomiting. More than that, they have restored dignity and provided a profound sense of security. "We have nothing to fear now," says Annapurna Padhi, who can now use a toilet safely at any hour. For young women like Asima Jena and mothers like Mitanjali Jena, it means newfound convenience, privacy, and more time for their families and education. This advanced sanitation solution has directly impacted 1,370 people, building a healthier, safer, and more resilient future.
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