To
improve access to affordable and hygienic sanitation solutions for poor and
disadvantaged communities, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
(SDC) has signed a deal with UNICEF Bangladesh, committing US Dollar 6.35
million (approximately Taka 49.42 crore).
The
agreement of the four-year project, “Improving Sanitation Market Systems in
Bangladesh (SanMarkS)” was signed at a function in Dhaka, a UNICEF press
release said here June 11, 2015.
Director
of Cooperation of SDC Siroco Messerli and UNICEF Bangladesh Representative
Edouard Beigbeder inked the deal. The project will be implemented in
partnership with International Development Enterprises (IDE).
Beigbeder,
UNICEF Bangladesh representative, said Bangladesh has made significant progress
in sanitation under the ‘Sanitation for all by 2013’ movement. However, still
challenges remain in hard-to-reach areas, urban slums and other flood-prone and
geographically challenging parts of Bangladesh.
“We
are delighted to be working with SDC as we are all committed to make meaningful
changes for maximum impact”, he said.
The
UNICEF Bangladesh representative expressed the UN body’s gratitude and thanked
SDC for their continued support.
Messerli,
Director of Cooperation of SDC, said the most interesting thing about the
project funded by SDC and UNICEF Bangladesh is that it brings on board both the
private sector service providers and public actors to respond to the needs and
demand of the rural population by providing improved sanitation services.
“I
would like to thank UNICEF Bangladesh for the excellent partnership”, he said.
By
improving the sanitation market system in Bangladesh, the most disadvantaged
households, that currently do not have access to proper sanitation facilities,
will be able to access services tailored to their needs and their financial
capacity which can be offered by the private sector in a sustainable manner.
The
project will undertake a number of activities to improve sanitation services
which includes, a market-based approach that addresses demand and supply to
increase the use of improved sanitation; applying commercial and social
marketing techniques to promote hygienic sanitation services; applying people centered
design to develop products and services that businesses can profitably produce
and sell; and investing in business and production skills and market
facilitation activities to expand supply and sales.
As
a result of the project, funded by SDC and co-funded by UNICEF, the private
sector service providers in collaboration with public actors will respond to
the needs and demand of the rural poor and provide improved sanitation services
to an estimated 450,000 poor and disadvantaged people in six districts of
Bangladesh. (Source: BSS)