What we do

What issue is being addressed?

Globally, poor sanitation results in a staggering $260 billion annual economic loss, impacting health, education, and the environment. In India, urbanization is accelerating, with urban slum populations tripling. Managing human waste safely has become a monumental challenge, leading to child deaths, school dropouts, and sanitation-related violence. With 70% of urban sewage untreated, water contamination poses a severe health risk, causing thousands of deaths annually.

What does the vertical do?

Dasra's Urban Sanitation team is dedicated to achieving inclusive, equitable, and sustainable human waste management. Through collaboration and cross-learning, they address persistent urban sanitation challenges in India and South Asia. By anchoring the National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM) Alliance in India, Dasra unites diverse stakeholders to enable safe and inclusive sanitation for all. Their network spans India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, fostering a South-to-South narrative for inclusive sanitation through cross-learning and knowledge exchange.

Impact so far

• Anchoring the NFSSM Alliance played a crucial role in India's National FSSM policy passage, leading to increased fund allocations for sanitation.
• Strategic partnerships with government bodies and organizations like the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and NITI Aayog have bolstered political will around FSSM.
• The collaborative approach has driven significant strides in inclusive sanitation, shaping a robust regional narrative in South Asia.
• Philanthropic capital of approximately $10 million has anchored the ecosystem, scaling inclusive sanitation outcomes in India and now in South Asia.