© Helvetas
Bangladesh

Promoting inclusive & resilient WASH in the coastal Bangladesh

© Helvetas
  • Project Name
    IAIWASH-Increasing Access to Improved WASH Services in Bangladesh
  • Project Phase
    2023 to 2027
  • Funding
    charity: water and Helvetas
  • Thematic focus
    Water Food and Climate

The southwestern coastal belt is one of the most climate-affected areas of Bangladesh. Sea level rising, frequent inundations and saline water intrusion are reducing the availability of safe drinking water and heavily affecting the health of the communities. Helvetas Bangladesh has been working since 2013 to strengthening climate-vulnerable communities resilience and improving prevention and capacity to respond to natural disasters.

Through ACCESS programme with funding from charity: water, we are implementing the Increasing Access to Improved WASH Services (IAIWASH) project. The goal is to support communities and local actors in increasing access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services, thus contributing to reducing water-borne diseases and health risks exacerbated by climate change.

IAIWASH promotes resilient and inclusive WASH infrastructures in communities and schools, by involving people and local government actors in mapping water resources and planning and managing water points and WASH services. The project, implemented with the Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP), develops climate-smart solutions adapted to the needs of the most vulnerable, such as pond sand filters (PSF) and rainwater harvesting systems, wells with a handpump, piped water supply systems, climate-resilient attached toilets, and inclusive WASH block at school including Menstrual Hygiene Management facilities.

Rupa Begum is happy for accessing safe drinking water, which reduced medical costs for her family | © Helvetas
Rupa Begum is now  accessing safe drinking water, which reduced medical costs for her family © Helvetas
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Jyoti is overjoyed for having an inclusive WASH block at their school. | © Helvetas
Jyoti is overjoyed for having an inclusive WASH block at their school. @Helvetas © Helvetas
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The overview of the IAIWASH project is as follows:

Goal: To contribute towards reducing the public health risks of climate-vulnerable communities living in the southwestern coastal zone of Bangladesh.

Objective: Climate-vulnerable communities in the Southwestern Districts of Bangladesh have access to affordable and sustainable WASH services that ensure safe water year-round and improved sanitation and hygiene facilities at homes and schools. 

Outcome 1: Increase inclusive access to climate-resilient, sustainable, safe WASH services for climate-vulnerable communities. 

Outcome 2: Ensure community participation in consultation and decision-making for effective delivery of WASH services by establishing platforms and networks through negotiations with service holders.

Outcome 3: Enhance the capacity of village groups, maintenance workers, and local authorities to access affordable and sustainable WASH services at homes and schools.

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