Progress reported at WatSan Expo 2008

Expo 2008 aimed to raise the profile of both the International Year of Sanitation and WaterAid in Bangladesh.

This year is the United Nations (UN) International Year of Sanitation. It aims to get the international community back on track towards achieving the sanitation-related Millennium Development Goals.

In effort to raise the profile of the year, WaterAid in Bangladesh held the WatSan (Water and Sanitation) Expo 2008 event, which took place on 4-5 March at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.

Attendees report progress

Speaking at the event, Honourable Adviser Anwarul Iqbal said that achievements in rural sanitation over the past five years have been very commendable, as the Bangladeshi Government declared a goal to achieve 'Sanitation for All' by 2010. From a meagre 35% rural sanitation coverage, the country has reached about 85% coverage over a period of four years.

WaterAid Acting Country Representative for Bangladesh, Mr Azahar Ali, noted that WaterAid Bangladesh has provided support to over three million people in 41 upazilas (subdistricts) in 19 districts, two municipalities and three city corporations through an integrated package of effective sanitation, safe water supply and hygiene promotion.

Honourable Adviser Anwarul Iqbal speaking at the expo.

Credit: WaterAid

As part of the expo, organisers held a rally on Dhaka streets to encourage 100% sanitation by 2010.

Credit: WaterAid

Azahar added, "We have targeted a population of six million to cover by March 2009 under a project called Advancing Sustainable Environmental Health, which is funded by the UK's Department for International Development. As reflected in various independent studies, the project has created a very positive impact in terms of livelihood and reduction of waterborne diseases in rural and urban Bangladesh."

Over 2,000 representatives from NGOs and WaterAid partner organisations participated in the event's programmes. Guests included the Honourable Advisers for the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Chief Executive Officer of WaterAid UK, along with donor, UN, and other sector representatives.

In two days of events during the expo, 30 NGOs set up stalls to demonstrate their approaches towards helping the poor and the most vulnerable communities gain access to basic water and sanitation services. In addition, there were three seminars on issues such as sustainability, technology and addressing poverty.