Sustainable Effect to Ensure Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation in South West Bangladesh Project  

Short description of Project:

Lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities are a significant barrier to improving the health and wellbeing and reducing poverty in the southwest coastal regions of Bangladesh. Salinity in ground and surface water, arsenic contamination of shallow aquifer, lack of aquifer and difficulties in extracting saline free water are some of the causes. The effects are negative health, social and economic outcomes for the local population.

The seriousness of the situation has been recognised by the international development community and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), demonstrated by the prominence of the issue in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for Bangladesh. The seventh of the eight Millennium Development Goals calls for governments to cut by half the percentage of their population living without safe drinking water and basic sanitation and GoB is committed to achieving the MDG targets. This commitment is reflected in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) that envisages reducing infant mortality rate from the 2000 benchmark value of 66 to 37 by 2010 and 22 by 2015.

Objective of the Project: To ensure peoples’ access to safe water and sanitation, develop effective maintenance system of water points, behavioral change of health hygiene practices amongst 37,800 poor and socio-economically marginalized people of Dacope Upazila, Khulna Districts.

This project has been implemented with the cooperation of SIMAVI, the Netherlands.

Key Activities of the Project:

Formation of Peoples’ and Civil Society Organizations(CSO), Capacity development through  training, seminars, workshops, opinion & experiences sharing meetings, Linkage building with Local Government Institutions(LGIs) and relevant government departments, Campaign materials develop, Awareness Campaign among Communities  & Students, Media Campaign, Local resources mobilization, Repair and construct of damaged water points and update sanitation system by joint efforts of the people & LGIs, Formulation & popularization of Peoples’ Demand, and Conduct Advocacy and lobbying with the Policy actors.

Achievement:

Active 139 people’s and 4 CSOs Committee in the project area with 4125 members including 70% women, enhanced their skills, knowledge and capacity on Water conservation, optimum use of water & maintenance, proper sanitation, health hygiene practices and access to participate in the local level decision making process and conduct social movement.

Getting safe water facilities around 4300 household by newly constructed/repaired of 26 number of  water points (Pond, Tube well & Pond Sand Filter-PSF), active and effective maintenance committees for regular maintenance of water points with local fund.

Increased water supply and sanitation facilities in 6 rural schools with 2560 students and teachers, formed School Sanitation Management Committee for regular maintenance by separate fund and  enhance knowledge on water use & personal health hygiene practices of students.

As a result of social movement and advocacy, Khulna Zila Parishad (District Board) has cancelled lease of 63 public ponds of Khulna district and Department of Public Health and Engineering(DPHE) & LGIs become more responsible to address people’s need.These successes are achieved through active and effective participation of multi-stakeholders.