Official launch of WaterAid's 'Bangladesh Country Program Strategy 2023-2028'

The Dhaka Times Desk WaterAid Bangladesh has officially launched its 5-year 'Country Program Strategy 2023-2028' to ensure safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in remote and underprivileged areas of the country.

On this occasion, the honorable Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Alexandra Badi Von Linde, Joint Secretary of the Policy Support Branch of the Local Government Department Emdadul Haque Chowdhury, Water and Climate Change Expert and Emeritus Professor University Dr. Dr. Ainun Nishat, Regional Director of WaterAid South Asia Region. Khairul Islam and WaterAid Bangladesh Country Director Hasin Jahan along with representatives of various public and private organizations, development partners, civil society and privately owned organizations and media.

Bangladesh has seen significant progress in the development of WASH facilities over the past few decades, but there is still a long way to go to reach a sufficient number of people with access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

Bangladesh is in the 7th most vulnerable position in the world in terms of climate risk. Currently, due to various climatic changes, progress in water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in the country is hampered. Therefore, WaterAid plans to develop related sectors by developing relevant and sustainable WASH technologies and approaches in the next 5 years as well as strengthening the relationship between citizens and policy makers. WaterAid is keen to work together with development partner organizations, private sector service providers and all institutions related to the WASH sector to ensure climate-tolerant improved water, sanitation and hygiene facilities throughout the country.

Welcoming the efforts of WaterAid Bangladesh to launch this new Country Strategy, the Honorable Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh, Alexandra Badi von Linde, said, 'We have been working with WaterAid for the past few years to ensure safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities for low-income people. WaterAid's role in providing accessible and sustainable wash services for all is truly commendable.' He called on WaterAid to spread their work experience to all in order to ensure long-term and sustainable services for the low-income people of the society.

In the event, the Joint Secretary of the Local Government Department Emdadul Haque Chowdhury praised the active role of WaterAid in formulating, refining and updating important policies and strategies of the WASH sector and urged them to contribute to the development of the sector by continuing to cooperate with the local government department and all concerned in the future. He said, "As a subsidiary organization of the government, WaterAid Bangladesh is not only helping to formulate or amend policies to ensure safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, but also assisting in the implementation of these policies at the field level".

Emeritus Professor of BRAC University. Ainun Nishat said, 'To ensure the sustainability of safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, emphasis should be placed on infrastructure development as well as its management systems. In this case, the risk of climate change should be kept in mind. Because with climate change, the availability of water will decrease on the one hand and the demand for water will increase on the other hand. He called upon all concerned including WaterAid to take appropriate plans to deal with the situation.

WaterAid South Asia regional director in the closing speech. Khairul Islam said, 'The overall WASH situation of Bangladesh is better than the neighboring countries of South Asia. However, Bangladesh still lags far behind in ensuring access to improved water supply to all through safely managed sanitation systems and pipe lines.

In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, initiatives involving the public and private sectors must therefore be undertaken'. He emphasized on the development of relevant and sustainable WASH technologies and approaches and called upon everyone to cooperate in the successful implementation of WaterAid Bangladesh's new country program strategy.

Hasin Jahan, Country Director of WaterAid Bangladesh, said in the event that started with the welcome speech, "In addition to ensuring climate-tolerant safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for all, achieving the universal goals of the SDGs in this regard is one of our future goals". Later, the 5-year 'Country Program Strategy 2023-2028' was presented by WaterAid's Program and Policy Advocacy Director Parth Hefaz Sekh.

In the event, users of advanced wash facilities and young volunteers from various regions including Satkhira, Srimangal, Tangail and Dhaka shared their experiences with the audience present. News bulletins.

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How to prevent dengue

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral fever. This fever is different from other viral or bacterial fevers. However, this fever is not contagious in any way. This viral fever can occur alone or in combination with other viruses (chikungunya, yellow fever, Burma forest, flu, respiratory syncytial) and bacteria (pneumococcus).

Dengue fever is divided into two categories depending on the severity of symptoms and fever.

1. Common dengue fever

2. Dengue fever with bleeding.

In the case of common dengue fever, the following symptoms are mainly seen-

1. Sudden high fever lasting 2 to 7 days.

2. Severe headache.

3. Pain behind the eyes.

4. Along with the fever, red rash appears all over the body.

5. Severe pain in whole body as well as back pain.

6. Nausea or vomiting.

7. A rash or red bumps on the skin.

In case of dengue fever with bleeding:

1. Bleeding from nose, mouth or vomiting with high fever within 2 to 48 hours.

2. Fluid accumulation in chest or abdomen along with fever.

If any of these symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately.

On the other hand

Wait at home for the first 3 days of fever. On the other hand, sponge the whole body with water every now and then. This will reduce the level of fever. Drink enough water and rest. After that, if the fever does not decrease or if it continues to increase after some time, consult a doctor immediately.

Things to do to prevent Dengue:

1. Try to keep the surroundings of the house as clean as possible.

2. If there are flower tubs or broken plastic bottles, can shells, tires or polythene inside the house, clean them quickly and drain the accumulated water from the flower tubs.

3. Spray or fog at least 3 times a week to kill mosquitoes.

4. You can keep mosquito repellent cream with you while going out.

5. After evening, younger and older members of the household should use mosquito nets.

6. Clean up any accumulated rain water, as this is the time when Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs.

7. On the other hand, you can use mats along with mosquito nets to avoid mosquito infestation.

8. Since Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, it is important to avoid sleeping with mosquito nets while sleeping during the day. Source: https://dmpnews.org