New Delhi: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) has taken a significant step forward in its mission to safeguard the health of children and communities by launching a two-month awareness campaign on ‘Safe Water and Sanitation’ in rural areas, a PIB press release stated.
The campaign, titled ‘Swachh Gaon, Shudh Jal – Behtar Kal’, has been jointly implemented by DDWS and the National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign, launched by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on June 24, 2024.
The National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign aims to reduce childhood mortality by focusing on a comprehensive approach that includes strengthening health infrastructure, improving access to clean water and sanitation, and enhancing nutritional programs.
The initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these goals by promoting safe water and sanitation practices in rural areas. Through the campaign, DDWS aims to raise awareness about the importance of clean water and sanitation, promote the use of safe water and sanitation practices, and ensure that no child succumbs to preventable diseases like diarrhoea.
The campaign activities include community engagement, water quality testing, and sensitization workshops. A series of educational initiatives are also planned to promote hygiene education and sanitation practices, including the safe disposal of child feces and handwashing techniques. The campaign will also focus on vulnerable groups, such as children under five and the elderly, to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases.