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WASH Sector Cox's Bazar - Situation Report, 7 October 2017

Countries
Bangladesh
+ 1 more
Sources
ISCG
Publication date

Key Figures

1.2 million in need of immediate WASH support

  • Overall target for the WASH Sector: 1.2 Million individuals*

  • Number of people reached with WASH assistance to date: 333’649 individuals

  • Total gap for the WASH Sector: 866’351 individuals

Needs

  • Given the current capacity of local partners, government counterparts and INGOs with an approved FD-7, the target of the WASH Sector is 750’000 people out of the 1.2 million people in need.

  • The increase in population in multiple sites is overloading existing facilities due to heavy use - Reception areas close to border and nearby Naf river area have very limited safe water and sanitation

  • New arrivals in the spontaneous sites, existing settlements & registered camps are in urgent need of jerrycans for storage/transportation of water

  • The existing public health conditions in the different areas, combined with the increased population, has greatly increased the risk of serious public health hazards.

  • The hydro-geological situation in areas of Teknaf, combined with a continuing increase in new arrivals, the limited water sources in the areas will be quickly exhausted during the dry season, increasing water provision requirements. Alternative solutions will need to be quickly identified to address those needs.

Response

  • Total estimated people reached with WASH assistance: 333’649 individuals**

  • Collectively the sector have reported 3’249 tubewells. However there are concerns about the quality of infrastructures (with a majority shallow wells) and their adequate locations given the constant movements of population

  • For sanitation, 8’107 emergency latrines have been built – however, the fill rate is currently exceeding the construction rate which is compounded by the unavailability of land and the current unavailability for faecal sludge management.

  • 6’599 hygiene kits have been distributed in the major spontaneous sites, makeshift settlements, refugee camps as well as in some nearby host communities.

Gaps/Constraints

  • Total estimated gap for immediate WASH services (total needs minus total response): 866’351 individuals

  • Physical access within the new sites is a major concern in scaling up the WASH emergency response

  • Congestion in the receiving sites is a major concern; overburdening existing facilities; complicating access for emptying latrines; and increasing the public health risk in these sites. Fecal sludge management therefore remains a high priority for the WASH Sector.

  • Reliable access to health statistics will be essential to ensure rapid response in the case of epidemics.

  • There remain significant gaps in the construction of WASH facilities to meet the first phase emergency standards, and additional facilities will be required to meet second and tertiary phase standards.

  • The geographical location of Unchiprang settlements has limited water provision due to lack of road access.

  • There are still major concerns for WASH Sector partners who have not received FD-7 extensions or clearances (15 Partners awaiting FD-7 clearance)

  • To address the sludge management, partners are developing multiple context specific technologies for all the sites.