Development Partners Move Hand in Hand to Improve Sanitation Market System in Bangladesh

DHAKA, June 11 (NsNewsWire) — To improve access to affordable and hygienic sanitation solutions for poor and disadvantaged communities, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has signed an agreement with UNICEF Bangladesh committing US$ 6.35 million (approximately 49.42 crore).

The agreement of the four-year project, Improving Sanitation Market Systems in Bangladesh (SanMarkS)’ was signed during a ceremony held in Dhaka by Mr. Siroco Messerli, Director of Cooperation a.i. of SDC with UNICEF Bangladesh Representative, Mr. Edouard Beigbeder. The programme will be implemented in partnership with IDE – International Development Enterprises.

“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”, said Mr. Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative. He expressed UNICEF’s gratitude and thanked SDC for their continued support.

“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”, said Mr. Messerli, Director of Cooperation a.i. of SDC.

By improving the sanitation market systems 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.