Netherlands to provide 54m euro

It is the one of the largest programmes funded by the Netherlands government, Ambassador Kees told newsmen at the signing ceremony in Dhaka. The five-year project involves 60 million euros, of which Brac contributes four million and local communities two million, he added.

The programme, he said, will provide additional sustainable sanitation coverage for 17.6 million people spread over 150 upazilas, safe drinking water supply services for 8.5 million people in rural areas and ensure hygiene promotion and education for 37.

5 million people.

Gender and health issues are emphasised in the programme activities, the ambassador said.

Brac Chairperson Abed said the WASH programme plans to achieve its goal by participation and collaboration from national to village levels, where hygienic practices will be the backbone of the programme.

A micro-finance programme will be set up for extremely poor families, providing subsidies amounting to Tk 1,000 to construct sanitary latrines, he said, adding that installation of tube-wells at safe depth and rural piped-water schemes will be initiated to ensure quality of water supply. The combination of hygiene practices and safe drinking water is vital for attaining the MDG targets.

Brac Executive Director Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury said a unique feature of the programme is to apply separate methodologies of hygiene promotion for men and women. Toilet facilities exclusively for women will be installed in public areas, including schools.

Brac's experience of working with rural people since 1972 will be very useful for implementation and sustainability of this programme, said Brac Health Programme Director Faruque Ahmed.

The local government institutions, governmental and non-governmental organisations, the donor community and related projects will be integrated into this programme, he added.