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Ensuring Access to Safe Water Supply in the Disaster Prone Coastal Zone of Bangladesh

Countries
Bangladesh
Sources
UNDP
Publication date
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Safe water scarcity is an increasing problem in the coastal zone of Bangladesh as it is turning brackish and saline gradually. Climate change is exacerbating the situation due to sea level rise, poor rainfall in winter, high rate of evaporation and various disastrous events like cyclone and storm surge. Further, higher saline concentration in the surface water compels coastal people to depend more on ground water. Therefore, the ground water extraction for drinking and irrigation purpose has been accelerated. However, the water of shallow aquifer is also being contaminated by salinity intrusion.

In this backdrop the Comprehensive Disaster Management programme (CDMP II) and Deutsche Gesellschaft for Internationale Zusammanarbeit (GIZ) GmbH signed an agreement to install PV water supply systems in the disaster prone areas in the coastal zone of Bangladesh towards reducing sufferings of coastal community to avail safe water. The collaboration has been resulted in providing safe drinking water to 467,899 direct beneficiaries and 82,038 indirect beneficiaries of Satkhira, Bagerhat, Khulna Districts. The collaboration also benefitted the community people having enhanced skills and income by sustainable management of drinking water supply systems.

In addition, the collaboration is being considered as a model of tripartite partnership of two development partners and coastal communities. Through this partnership with CDMP, GIZ has been benefitted in achieving its goal of adaptation to climate change by supplying safe drinking water to the at risk community. GIZ also aimed at popularizing the use of solar PV, which eventually will mitigate the climate change impacts and contribute to sustainable energy supply.

This project is being implemented in three districts of coastal zone including Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira, Seven (07) Upazilas and thirty five (35) Unions in 61 locations. CDMP II provided 200 kilometres of pipe lines and builds 734 platforms for water collection in the project locations. The water supply interventions trough Deep Tub Well (DTW) and Pond Sand Filter (PSF) brought happiness to the local community as they are now able to save both time and money because they no more need to go far away for collecting safe water.