Some 3.6 million people will be provided with access to hygienic sanitation facilities and about 600,000 people with clean water in the country’s 78 upazilas (sub-districts) under a World Bank-aided project.
The global development agency and the government of Bangladesh signed a $200 million financing agreement to this effect on Monday, said a news release.
The Rural Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) for Human Capital Development project is designed to help improve water and sanitation services in rural areas covering Sylhet, Chattogram, Rangpur, and Mymensingh divisions.
“Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices are key for ensuring better health and building human capital,” said WB Country Director Mercy Tembon.
“The project will help prevent diseases and protect citizens from Covid-19 and other infectious diseases by increasing access to quality water and sanitation services at home and public spaces as well as by promoting hand-washing behaviour.”
Following a market-driven approach, the project will help build a more hygienic model, offset pit latrines for safe sanitation; and large and small piped water schemes for clean water, according to the release.
It will provide microcredits to both the households and entrepreneurs for water and sanitation facilities, said the release adding that about 309,000 of the poorest households will receive fully subsidised toilets.
Besides the household water connections, it will construct around 3,000 community piped water schemes, said the release.
The project will install about 312 public toilets and 2,514 hand-washing stations at crowded public places, such as markets and bus stations.
About 1,280 community clinics will have new or renovated facilities, both for patients and medical purposes, added the release. The project, in a quick and timely manner, will also help address urgent water and sanitation needs arising from Covid-19 pandemic.
“Over the last decades, Bangladesh has made commendable progress with almost universal access to basic water supply and elimination of open defecation,” said Secretary of the Economic Relations DivisionFatima Yasmin.
“Further investments will ensure that all citizens—in cities and villages—have access to safe and improved water and sanitation facilities. This will help Bangladesh achieve Sustainable Development Goals.”
The agreement was signed by Fatima Yasmin and Mercy Tembon on behalf of the two sides.
The credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association, has a 30-year term, including a five-year grace period.