News - © drip by drip ⁇ Saikat Barab Shil Every drop counts - Together for water justice in Bangladesh “Toxic chemicals from the textile industry threaten not only the environment in Bangladesh, but also the health and livelihoods of millions of people. Through innovative community-based monitoring, those affected in our project are themselves committed to sustainable change in order to make demands on authorities and factories based on collected data. Your top priority: Clean drinking water.’Daniela Bartsch, Head of Projects Abroad Access to clean drinking water is the basis for a healthy and self-determined life. In communities close to the apparel industry, these elementary needs are becoming an everyday challenge. "I can't drink water here", Anowara Begum describes in the video the catastrophic effects on people and the environment. Farm animals perish, cultivated fruits and vegetables are contaminated, local residents become ill. Due to this existential threat, together with our partner organizations and affected communities, we have decided to initiate short-term measures to ensure the supply of drinking water in the subdistrict of Savar in Dhaka. Long-term approach - short-term supply of clean drinking water The project ‘Every drop counts – Working together for water justice in Bangladesh’ is embedded in our Multi-stakeholder partnership to implement due diligence. As part of community-based monitoring, an evidence-based database on water quality is created. Together with specialists of the environmental organization ESDO, by Agroho and Drip by Drip FEMNET has developed a plan of action against water pollution. The focus is on the installation of wells and water filters that remove pollutants and chemicals to provide affected households with clean water directly and reliably. Our goals: Supplying 10,000 people with water filtration systems, reduction of diseases, safe food, healthy farm animals, Strengthening the local economy and influencing industrial policy. Monitoring, dialogue and data analysis guarantee lasting improvements. Our milestones: €12,000 – 2 RO filter systems, planning, training & operational safety €24,000 – 1 deep well + 3 RO filter systems, full operational safety €31,800 - Complete, sustainable solution including maintenance & quality control Common approach: Use of existing municipal water sources: Where possible, we will identify existing water points, e.g. in mosques, schools, community centres, etc., and seek partnerships to use these sources to provide them with filtration systems. Creation of new infrastructures: In places where there are no accessible sources, we will install deep pipe wells with filter systhemes. Sustainability through operational support: Provision of a maintenance budget to ensure the long-term functioning of the required instruments (minimum 10-15 years). Involvement of the municipality in the administration Maintenance and support by remunerated local caretakers The package of measures to secure the drinking water supply is part of our long-term work for structural and sustainable change. It provides immediate relief and improves the living conditions of local people, without releasing polluters from their responsibilities. The total cost of the project is just under €32,000. Every donation is a valuable contribution to ensuring the drinking water supply and permanently increasing the water quality. Every drop counts! Donate now for water justice in Bangladesh back
