Though open defecation in Bangladesh is almost a thing of the past, the prevalence of safely managed toilets in the country is far from the desired extent. The Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) declares the importance of achieving “clean water and sanitation for all”, and to realize this Goal, the Government of Bangladesh in 2021 launched the Bangladesh Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Human Capital Development Project. Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), an implementer of the project, has already constructed 2 lakh 37 thousand safely managed twin-pit toilets in 30 districts of Bangladesh. At the same time, safely managed piped water supply systems were installed at 60 thousand homes.

This was informed at the 3rd Annual Coordination Meeting of the project at PKSF Bhaban in Dhaka on 04 July 2024. While anchoring the event, PKSF Additional Managing Director Dr Md Jashim Uddin said the 5-year project, co-funded by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, is being implemented in 182 upazilas of the country through 87 Partner Organizations (POs).

Among others, World bank’s Senior Water & Sanitation Specialist Rokeya Ahmed and PKSF’s General Manager Md Abdul Matin spoke at the event. Representatives from the project-implementing POs spoke on the challenges and ways out for an effective implementation of the project.

At the event, 20 branches of 11 POS were awarded for their performance in helping achieve the project’s objectives.