Tom Palakudiyil is the Interim Director for Operational Programmes at WaterAid UK which promotes global access to water, sanitation and hygiene. Prior to that, he was currently the Head of South Asia Region at WaterAid. In that role he led and coordinated WaterAid’s work in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
He has over 20 years’ experience in the development sector. Prior to joining WaterAid, he worked for Christian Aid, first as Country Director for India, and subsequently as Regional Manager for South Asia.Tom has a PhD in Development Economics from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, and has taught at post-graduate level for over 10 years, including 5 years at the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), India. He is the author of Facing Up to the Storm: how local communities can cope with disasters.
1. What is your current position?
I am currently the Interim Director of International Programmes at WaterAid UK. Until recently I was Head of Region for South Asia, managing WaterAid’s programmes in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
Being part of the collective effort that has brought safe water, sanitation and hygiene to millions of people in South Asia, and continuing to contribute to similar achievements across other WaterAid programmes in other regions; for example, in Africa.
3. What inspires you?
The knowledge that all individuals, including myself, can be a force for change and have the power to help transform lives of the most marginalised people so that they can empower themselves.
4. Biggest obstacle in career?
Managing the social dynamics in regions where transformations are being tried can be very challenging. Changes require collective action, and building consensus where different interest groups clash is not easy.
5. Who has been biggest influence on your career to date?
P V Rajagopal, a Gandhian activist, who has been leading a people’s movement in India called Ekta called Ekta Parishad (Unity Campaign), campaigning for the right to land, forest and water of tribal communities in central India.
In the course of his work, P V Rajagopal has mobilised thousands and thousands of villages, helping to change the lives of thousands of voiceless communities
6. What is the best aspect of your current role?
The opportunity to help bring about changes in the lives of the most poor and disadvantaged sections of society.
7. And the worst?
The scope of the global water, sanitation and hygiene challenge is huge. Despite the progress made, there are still so many without basic access. 663 million people globally are still without access to safe water. 2.4bn are still without access to adequate sanitation. The global community still has a lot of work to do!
8. What are your long term goals?
My goal is to help ensure that people everywhere can live with dignity and freedom, including freedom from WASH poverty – living without water, toilets or hygiene.
9. If you were PM, what one aspect would you change?
I would prioritise water, sanitation and hygiene as a policy area. Not only is access to these three things basic needs and human rights- but also critical for successes in other areas, such global education and global health. Accountability, in the forming and implementing policy is also very important.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador, who stood by the poor and the oppressed; championed their cause and spoke passionately and courageously for their rights. The example of Romero's courageous life and ultimately death is a huge inspiration for all working for human dignity and justice.
