The World Water Day Observed
International Year of Sanitation and the National Hand Washing
Campaign Launched

“It is possible to prevent 70% of water and excreta-borne diseases through practicing proper hand washing,” said Anwarul Iqbal while addressing the launching ceremony of the International Year of Sanitation 2008 and National Hand Washing Campaign on the World Water Day.

LGRD & Cooperatives Adviser stated this year will stimulate the national sanitation campaign ‘Sanitation for All by 2010’ to a great extent. He mentioned, lack of hygienic sanitation facilities is seriously affecting safe water supply, environment and the public health situation. Without ensuring sustainable sanitation facilities it is impossible to prevent water and environment pollution. In preventing water pollution and improving the public health situation this year’s theme of the World Water Day 2008 ‘Sanitation’ has been appropriate, he noted.

Sanitation does not mean merely installation of latrines at household level. Although hygienic latrine installation is a prerequisite to ensure sanitation, yet the basic hygiene practices including hand washing practice are integral parts of sanitation, the Adviser added.

LGRD Adviser further pointed out the declaration of ‘Sanitation for All by 2010’ which was envisioned by government of Bangladesh in 2003. He says, the latrine coverage has risen up to 84.73% by June 2007 which is remarkable success towards sanitation coverage. But it has been observed from newspaper as well as research findings that besides installation of latrines, the hygienic use of latrine, hand washing practice and hygiene promotion have not been emphasized properly, he spoke out.

The Launching of the International Year of Sanitation and the National Hand Washing Campaign will help sensitize people towards proper hand washing practice and maintaining other health and hygiene principles, he revealed.

Chaired by Shaikh Khurshid Alam, Secretary, LGD, Ministry of LGRD & Cooperatives the ceremony was addressed by Paul Edwards, Chief, WES, UNICEF and Chris Austin, Chief, Bangladesh Desk, DFID as Special Guests. Andrew Trevett, Environmental Health Adviser of WHO read out the speech of Duangvadee Sungkhobol, WHO Representative and Chief of Mission to Bangladesh. Representatives from the concerned ministries, government agencies, UN-bodies, development partners, national and international development organizations, academics and mass-media participated in the ceremony.
In the speech Sungkhobol explained the importance of launching hand washing campaign saying that it will stimulate the National Sanitation Campaign of ‘Sanitation for All by 2010’. She expressed, WHO will give necessary support to the government to make the new campaign a success.

Paul Edwards stated, an integrated and community-based programme can make significant improvements in their lives, through changing their hand washing practices, investing in household toilets, and organizing themselves to install and look after their water points. With a little support and encouragement, communities have the potential to make the difference, he added.

Chief guest Mohammed Anwarul Iqbal, B.P.M (Ban), P.P.M.,
Honourable Advisor addressing his speech in the programme

Chris Austin said, water is a scarce and vital resource. It should be shared more fairly, and managed better way. If it is so, people will get the water they need to live and to support their livelihoods and for economic growth. He further added, to meet the MDG onwater and sanitation, we need to get clean water to 300,000 more people, everyday; and proper sanitation to 450,000 more people, everyday.

LGRD Secretary Shaikh Khurshid Alam said, sustainable, acceptable and affordable latrine technologies have to be innovated by research considering different hydro-geological conditions, flood, water-logging, local values, culture, affordability of the users etc. In this regard, concerned agencies of government, national & international organizations, donor agencies should come forward in an integrated manner. If it is desired to achieve sanitation coverage instantly only by installation of latrine sets at household level, it will not bring positive result in public health and environment preservation. For ensuring effective use and maintenance of sanitary latrines and hygiene practice extensive campaign for mass awareness has to be carried out.

S.M.A. Rashid, Executive Director of NGO Forum also spoke in the occasion highlighting the theme of International Year of Sanitation and World Water Day. Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman, Professor of BUET and Director, ITN-Bangladesh presented the objectives of the International Year of Sanitation, World Water Day and significance of National Hand Washing Campaign.

The Ceremony was jointly organized by Local Government Division, NGO Forum for DWSS, DFID, WHO and UNICEF on 22 March 2008 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city.

Joint Secretary of LGD Md. Lukman Hakim Talukder gave welcome speech in the occasion. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Chief Engineer of DPHE gave vote of thanks to the participants. A theme song, two TV Spots on Hand Washing were screened as part of the National Hand Washing Campaign Launching.

Press release, 22, March 2008

NGO Forum achieved the second position out of a total thirty one participating organizations, working for ensuring safe water supply and sanitation across the country in the WatSan Expo 2008, organized by WaterAid Bangladesh. The expo was organized to mark the United Nations International Year of Sanitation at Bangladesh-China FriendshipConferenceCentre in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 04-05-2008. NGO Forum participated in different events such as Rally, Seminar and Cultural programme etc. The Forum also demonstrated a stall at the Expo.
Demonstration of current approaches and low cost and alternative technologies was carried out at the stall. The technologies include Pond Sand Filter, Rain Water Harvesting System, Arsenic Iron Removal Plant, Bio Sand Filter, Urban Water Point, Eco-San latrine, Cluster Latrine, School Latrine etc which are being implemented by NGO Forum countrywide. NGO Forum demonstrated four different models to represent the diversity of its working areas in terms of Rural, Haor, Urban and arsenic prone areas. These models were comprised of different alternate technologies and miniature presentation of the situation of theprogramme areas both before and after programme implementation. On the other hand, IEC/ BCC materials, developed by NGO Forum were also displayed. Various digital display on working approaches and
Honorable Advisor Anwarul Iqbal visiting NGO Forum's stall,
S.M. Rashid, Excutive Director of NGO Forum is seen on his left
success covered the Hygiene Promotion, Solid Waste Management, mainstreaming Water Safety Plan, National Resource Centre and Water Quality Testing Lab, etc. In the Cultural events on March 04, 2008 NGO Forum performed a group mime show titled ‘Child Group in Action’. Hygiene promotional activity by child group implemented at the working area was represented through the presentation. The audience enjoyed the exceptional show and appreciated it applauding continually.Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal, Advisor, Ministry of LGRD&C, Ministry of Textile & Jute and Ministry of Labour & Employment of the Government of Bangladesh inaugurated this exposition. Deputy Country Representative of DFID Sarah Sanyahunbi was present as Special Guest while WAB Acting Country Representative Md. Azahar Ali delivered the welcome speech and Programme Director Hasin Jahan gave vote of thanks at the Inaugural Session.NGO Forum thinks the expo was an opportunity to uphold its learning and successes to different level of stakeholders.

NGO Froum receiving the 2nd prize for the Stall demonstration

 Safe Water Crisis and Outbreak of Water-borne Diseases in Sidr-hit Areas

NGO Forum Stands beside the Survivors

The cyclone Sidr hit into the southwestern coastline in Bangladesh in the late Thursday (15th November 2007) night which has left huge losses and casualties. It is officially stated that the Sidr has tolled more than 3064 people (up to 25th November 2007) and still 949 people are missing. Unofficially it is feared that the death toll will cross 10,000 people. The storm also has killed 4.68 lakh livestock and damaged 12 lakh houses and crops on 17,89,000 acre land. The Sidr has left its marks of devastation on 200 upazilas, 1811 unions of 30 districts in Bangladesh affecting 65.51 lakh people of about 16.11 lakh families. The survivors of the Sidr are living under the open sky and crying for food, water, medicine and shelter.

Most of the people in coastal belt depend on surface water due to the presence of high salinity in groundwater. The tidal surge has inundated the surface drinking water sources with saline water. Moreover, dead-bodies of livestock and wastes are floating on the water bodies. Therefore, people are now compelled to drink saline or unsafe water. Like many other infrastructure, the Sidr has damaged the sanitation facilities, therefore, people are defecating indiscriminately. The smell of dead-bodies in the air and the floating dead-bodies of livestock on water as well, lack of food and safe water, use of unsafe water and indiscriminate defecation have been contributing to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. If no measure is taken immediately, water-borne diseases will plague the people inflicting morbidity and mortality in the Sidr affected localities.

NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation, the apex body of WatSan NGOs, CBOs and PSOs in Bangladesh, has been dedicatedly playing significant role for more than 25 years in promoting safe WatSan and hygiene situation in Bangladesh. In any natural disaster such as flood, cyclone in the country, the Forum always plays a vital role to support the victims during the disaster and participates in the rehabilitation activity to improve the public health situation through providing emergency services in relation to ensuring safe water supply and hygienic sanitation facilities to the cyclone and flood-hit rural people.

In order to fight the safe water crisis, outbreak of water-borne diseases, morbidity and mortality in the Sidr affected areas, NGO Forum has stood beside the victims of 8 worst-hit costal districts with emergency supports which included water purifying tablet (WPT), oral rehydration saline (ORS), safe water in plastic container etc. So as to refresh the safe water and sanitation facilities in the cyclone affected areas, NGO Forum has planned to immediately undertake the activities of repairing of TW, PSF and RWHS, dewatering and disinfecting of pond and installation & reconstruction of latrine facilities.

Here are the NGO Forum's ongoing supports in the Sidr-affected Areas.

Need More Immediate Attention

The extreme natures of safe water crisis, outbreak of water-borne diseases and its probable aftermath in the Sidr-hit areas demand immediate and effective concentration. The effort made by NGO Forum is very fewer than the needs. It is our appeal to the government, donor agencies, international development partners, corporate sector and any other actors from all walks of lives for their extended hands to act as the savior of the survivors in the Sidr-hit areas.    

Table-1: NGO Forum’s Ongoing Supports (Up to 10th January 2008)

Table-2: NGO Forum’s Rehabilitation Supports in the Sidr-affected Areas up to 14 January 2008

Global warming Can Take Away Part of Bangladesh

For ensuring permanent disaster management systems our country needs a big action plan with sufficient funds and unique steps to prevent the emission of carbon dioxide which is originating form the industrially developed countries.

Speakers observed these in the seminar called 'world climate change and Bangladesh' organized by the Bangladesh science writer and journalist Forum at the national press club.

Environment and science journalist Mir Lutful kabir Saadi presented his paper on the green house effect. He quoted from some environmental scientists that 2-Degree Celsius temperature will be increased in the world that is enough to flood out 11 per cent area of Bangladesh. Therefore, lives of 3 to 4 crores of people are on the verge of extinction. He recommended 11-point proposals to protect the earth from the environmental catastrophes.

Prof. Dr. Ainul nishat stressed for coordinated effort for the water resource management among the South Asian countries. He thinks dams can save citizens from the flood effect. So we need more strong and high erected dams in the flood prone area.

Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim mentioned that awarding IPCC and AL Gore with Nobel Prize in this year means now we are highly thinking on the global warming. Indigenous technology should be applied to protect the environment and we need to formulate concrete policy for the sake of better environment.

The Bangladesh Observer, 5 December 2007

UN Launches International Year of Sanitation

The UN has announced 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation. The central objective for the year is to put a global spotlight on current poor conditions of hygiene, to highlight the little progress made to-date towards the Sanitation target under the Millennium Development Goals (goal 7) and to advocate for the multiple benefits that stem from better sanitation and hygiene.

Hopefully the year will raise awareness and promote decisive action by key players like the leaders of the world's G8 group of industrialised nations. NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation is planning to highlight the significance of the International Year of Sanitation through organizing different programmes and activities at Central and Regional Level.

Too Early to Link Cyclone Sidr to Global Climate Change

Says Oxfam researcher

A senior researcher of Oxfam, a UK-based NGO, has said it is too early to say that cyclone Sidr, which swept across the counry recently, is related to global climate change.

“No one can yet say whether the devastation from cyclone Sidr is related to global warming. The world's scientists are building better models and collecting more data so that they will eventually be able to draw specific links between individual events and climate change, but so far their ability to do this is very limited,” Kate Raworth, a senior researcher with Oxfam GB, told IRIN from London on November 20.

“So while we cannot say now whether cyclone Sidr is related to climate change, perhaps in 10 years time we will know,” Raworth said, according to IRIN News, the independent information wing of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Raworth's comments followed the release of the fifth report from the working Group on Climate Change and Development entitled ‘Up in smoke? Asia and the Pacific’ on November 19.

The report, compiled by over 35 development and environmental groups, including Oxfam and Greenpeace, says there is a growing consensus about the huge challenges facing heavily populated Asia (four billion people). The report came out just a few days after Cyclone Sidr struck.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that the frequency of cyclone formation in the Bay of Bengal has declined since 1970 but the intensity of the cyclones is increasing. Government initiatives to build cyclone shelters and establish early warning systems have meant fewer lives have been lost, but more efforts are needed, the report says, “the important point is that we do know that climate change is likely to make storms and cyclones like this become more intense,” Raworth said. “So whether or not this particular cyclone was caused by climate change, Bangladesh will need to be more prepared for events like this as a result of climate change.”

The Daily Star, 22 November 2007

Strong Messages as  2007 World Water Week Ends: It is Time to Do Better on Global Poverty, Sanitation, Water Scarcity and Climate Change

A 2007 World Water Week in Stockholm (www.worldwaterweek.org <http://www.worldwaterweek.org/> ) that began with a call for governments around the world to better manage their existing water resources concluded with the 2,500 participants from 140 countries saying collectively that progress is being made, but in the face of global poverty, critical lack of sanitation, water scarcity and climate change, we all need to do much better. The date, theme and location for the 2008 event was also announced: "Progress and Prospects on Water: For a Clean and Healthy World," to be held August 17-23, 2008, at the Stockholm International Fairs centre.

Anders Berntell, Executive Director of the host Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), while assessing at the end of the event the efforts to improve the world water situation, said: "There is progress, but there is still far too little action and now when climate change is upon us and we need to adapt even faster. None of us can say we are prepared but it's clear that poor people will again suffer the most. Changes in water availability are what will hit us first with an altered climate; rising sea levels and floods in certain regions but drought in others. The pressure on infrastructure and physical planning will be considerable. Ecosystem management will be fundamental. The question remains relevant: Why is water still not high enough on the political agenda?"

Climate, sanitation and hygiene, water management, ecosystems and biodiversity, technology and business issues were prominent programme focal points throughout the week. SIWI itself called for governments around the world to better manage how they use their existing water resources, taking necessary and sometimes painful measures to decrease losses in water delivery infrastructure and irrigation, to cut subsidies to agriculture, and to put in place realistic water-pricing measures - all before attempting to boost water supplies. The World Water Week, which included 140 co-convening organisations, witnessed the launch of a number of new and groundbreaking studies, reports and initiatives designed to improve a global situation where billions of people are without sustainable access to safe drinking water or suffering ill health due to poor sanitation, where bioenergy demands are diverting water from food production, and where global climate change is affecting the overall water balance. Some of the studies, reports, initiatives and announcements made during the week included:

*        UN-HABITAT, the United Nations agency working with human settlements, launched the 1) Global Water Operators' Partnership and the 2) Water and Sanitation Trust Fund.

*        SIWI and the Swedish Water House launched four new reports: Making Anti-Corruption Approaches Work for the Poor; On the Verge of a New Water Scarcity; Agriculture, Water, and Ecosystems; and Planning for Drinking Water and Sanitation in Peri-Urban Areas.

*        The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) launched the Global Water Tool.

*        The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and SIWI announced the opening of the nomination period for the WASH Media Award.

*        British charity WaterAid launched Global Cause and Effect: How the Aid System is Undermining the Millennium Development Goals.

*        The Global Water Partnership announced 1) Letitia A. Obeng as the new Chair of GWP and 2) released the policy brief Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management, and 3) the book Sustainable Sanitation in Eastern and Central Europe

*        The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, released a position paper named Natural Resource Tenure.

*        The Asian Development Bank released Dignity, Disease and Dollars: Asia's Urgent Sanitation Challenge.

*        The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) South Africa presented new technology for removing heavy metals and subsequent radioactivity from mines.

*        The Co-operative Programme on Water and Climate (CPWC) released Water, Climate, Risk and Adaptation, and presented its new resource centre on water, climate, risk, adaptation and mitigation.

*        The World Water Council (WWC), the General Directorate State Hydraulic Works for Turkey (DSI) and the Secretariat of the 5th World Water Forum released the First Announcement of the 5th Forum, to be held in 2009.

*        Borealis and Bororouge became a Founder of the Stockholm Water Prize.

*        The International Institute for Environment and Development issued two briefing papers that summarise new research on payments for watershed services in developing nations.

*        The International Foundation for Science released Strengthening Capacity for Water Resources Research in Countries with Vulnerable Scientific Infrastructure.

*        The Government of Singapore and the World Health Organisation (WHO) signed a new partnership agreement to jointly promote the safe management of drinking water globally.

*        The Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association introduced the revamped World Water Monitoring Day initiative and provided kits to Stockholm Junior Water Prize participants.

*        The International Water & Film Events Istanbul 2009 issued the official call for entries.

*        The Water Integrity Network launched new website to fight corruption in the water sector.

World Environment Day Observed

World Environment Day was observed in the country as elsewhere around the globe through dialogues at international, regional as well as national levels. This- year's theme of the day was Melting Ice, A plot Topic? To mark the Day, various government and non-government organizations
arranged Programmes including rally, discussion meeting along with a 3 day long Environment Fair at Osmani Memorial Hall, Dhaka on 5-7 June 2007.
NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation participated in the programme and Fair alongside the other organizations. NGO Forum demonstrated a stall at the Fair where different IEC, BCC materials and some audio-visuals on WatSan & environmental issues were displayed, which attracted the attention of the visitors.
All the 14 Regions of NGO Forum also observed the Day in a befitting manner by organizing rallies, discussion meeting and so on.

New Publications on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Published

A leaflet on Safe Water and Sanitation Our Right has been published by NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation. The leaflet contains the information on present scenario of WatSan, the expected role of LGIs, District Administration, Local Allies and Civil Society Representatives and NGOs in WatSan Promotion.
Advancing through Advocacy, a success story book has been published by NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation. This publication is just a documentary to disseminate the advocacy mechanism on running programmes in the slums implemented by NGO Forum among the readers.

NGO Forum’s Total Sanitation: A Community Stake Published

Joseph Halder (edited by), Published by NGO Forum,
December 2005, 116p.
NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation has recently published a new booklet on WatSan issues titled Total Sanitation: A Community Stake that highlights the overall status of the outcome of NGO Forum’s new and innovative programme Union-based Total Sanitation. The Union-based Total Sanitation is implemented following the Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach while each and every household of a union is targeted for 100% sanitation coverage. The Book reflects on the success of Union-based Total Sanitation approach, adopted while implementing Union-based Total Sanitation programme within the intervention unions of NGO Forum. The Book also documents the level and dimension of community participation under the leadership of LGI and their efforts towards sustainability of the sanitation facilities and hygiene behaviour.

Consultation on Promotion of Total Sanitation Held

To identify the strategic issues to combat the existing challenges of ensuring countrywide sustainable total sanitation and create mass-awareness through reviewing impact of ongoing sanitation programmes as well as assessing the present status of sanitation coverage NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation and ITN-BUET have jointly organized a series of Divisional Consultations on Promotion of Total Sanitation at 3 greater divisional cities. The 'Bhorer Kagaj & Channel i are the media partners of the Consultations.

Divisional Consultations have been organized at Khulna, Rajshahi and Chittagong- Divisions on 22, 24 and 31 May respectively. Professor Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman, Director, ITN-BUET moderated the Consultations. The govt. officials, UN representatives, UP chairmen members, community allies like teachers, religious leaders, media representatives and beneficiaries from different districts also took part as participants in the Consultations.
Based on the outcomes and recommendations of the Consultations a Round Table Discussion on Promotion of Total Sanitation is going to be organized at Dhaka on 14 June 2007,
The govt. officials, UN representatives, media representatives, civil society groups,sector professionals, policy-makers and other stakeholders will participate n the Round Table Discussion.

Media Coverage:

Bhorer Kagoj, 22-May-2007, Dhaka.	The Daily Ittefaq, 23-May-2007, Dhaka.
The Daily Purbanchol, 23-May-2007, Khulna.	Kortoa, 25-May-2007, Rajshahi.
Bhorer Kagoj, 23-May-2007, Dhaka.	Daily Janmobhumi, 23-May-2007, Khulna.
Sonali Sangbad, 25-May-2007, Rajshahi.	Bhorer Kagoj, 25-May-2007, Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Observer, 27-May-2007, Dhake

Collaboration with Mass-media Held

To make a strong collaboration with mass­media and mobilizing the journalists for promotion of WatSan situation NGO Forum organized Collaboration with Mass-media at its four Regions namely Rajshahi, Rangpur, Bogra & Dinajpur as a part;;of its ongoing collaboration. The Foruii;r ubielieves that the media can bighli~llt. the problems of the sector and it ca              act the attention of different potential corners in this sector as they can take the initiatives to solve the WatSan problem.

The events have been conducted in the district level maintaining a specific duration. Open discussions and field visits are organized under this event as an effort to sensitize the journalists to play an effective role for favorable WatSan policy and: strategy by highlighting the issues through their respective medium. On the other, hand the active role of the journalists on .the issue will help promote WatSan in the community level to aware and motivate the; grassroots people towards safe water and Hygienic sanitation and to ensure a faster WatSan coverage.

As a consequence of the discussions and field visit by journalists different Regions of NGO Forum and fields of the Forum's partner organizations, the media people later on covered the relevant issues in the light of their visit and experience in their respective medium..

New Courses of Frontier Rivers Changing Bangladesh Map

Bangladesh's geographic map is gradually , changing with the change of course by frontier rivers for intervention in natural flow of water.
In changing course over the years the rivers devour landmass, resulting in the  Bangladesh has 300 kilometers of riverine border with India. So far, some 30,000 acres of land of Bangladesh are learnt to have drifted towards the Indian side following erosion of the riverbanks.
"Bangladesh has been losing its land as border rivers Surma and Kushiara in Sylhet continue to change their directions, shifting from the original borderline, owing to erosion," an official of the World Development Board said.
The two rivers, having their origins in Barak River in the north-eastern India, have shifted from their original borderlines and now run inside the Bangladesh territory, which results in loss of thousands of acres of land in Sylhet.
Around 3,000 acres of land went to Indian possession following erosion by the Surma and Kushiara rivers only, official sources said. Local people, however, said that the loss of land alongside the two rivers is about 5,000 acres.
As a result, the country's map is changing with the change of direction of border rivers, swallowing the land of Bangladesh to add to the Indian territories.
Bangladesh initiated a move through the Joint Rivers Commission to conduct a joint study on the rivers Surma and Kushiara in 2005, but no headway was made for reported reluctance on part of the Indian authorities, said officials of the Water Development Board in Sylhet.
The official said if Bangladesh fails to take protection measures timely, the country would lose more lands in the coming rainy season as the rivers are silting up for intervention in their flows and losing the capacity to contain and drive down volumes of rainwater.
                                                                                                          The Daily Star, 7 May 2007

Water Scarcity in Bangladesh
LGRD Adviser Callls for Effective Plan and Collective Efforts

Water ecperts, NGO represetatives, develop,ent partners and other stakeholders underlined the need for evolving modern water management strategies and developing new techniques to ensure adequate supply of pure drinking water across the country. Speaking at a seminar on Water Scarcity in Bangladesh: The Ways Out, they observed Bangladesh is facing acute crisis of pure drinking water due to arsenic contamination in ground water coupled with unplanned urbanization, use of toxic elements in arable lands, discharging industrial wastes in the rivers and population boom in the country.
They suggested for taking concerted efforts involving all stakeholders in mitigating the water crisis through strengthening institutional capacity, promoting more technology transfer and mobilizing financial resources to this end. Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation, WSP-World Bank, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) jointly organized the Seminar in observance of World Water Day 2007. The theme of this year's World Water Day was Coping with Water Scarcity.
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Mohammed Anwarul Iqbal attended the Seminar as the chief guest while Secretary (Local Government Division) Safar Raj Hossain, World Bank Country Director Zhu Xian, WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr. Duangvadee Sunkhobol and Counsellor of Royal Danish Embassy Martin Bo Brander as special guests. Executive Director of NGO Forum S.M.A. Rashid gave welcome speech at the Seminar chaired by Chief Engineer of Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) Md. Mustafizur Rahman.
Speaking on the occasion, LGRD and Cooperatives Adviser Mohammed Anwarul Iqbal said Water scarcity is getting acute in Bangladesh. Under this circumstances, the adviser called for taking effective initiatives towards establishing sustainable safe water supply system to overcome the situation. He underscored the need for ensuring efficiency in using surface water in daily lives of the people especially in agricultural and industrial purposes aiming to reduce pressure on ground water. He urged all concerned to expedite research, awareness and motivational programmes to innovate and popularize alternative suitable technologies in this regard. Delivering the welcome speech, Executive Director of NGO Forum S.M.A. Rashid highlighted the Forum's efforts of combating the challenges of ensuring safe water supply. Various alternative safe water technologies including Rain-water Harvesting System and Arsenic Iron Removal Plant are being promoted throughout the country in order to ensure safe water supply to the community, he said. Besides, eminent water & environment expert Dr. Ainun Nishat of IUCN, and Amanullah-Al-Mahmood of DPHE presented two technical papers at the working session of the Seminar chaired by Abdul Kader Chowdhury, former Chief Engineer of DPHE. Representatives from the relevant ministries, govt. departments, diplomatic missions, UN-bodies, academics, national and international development organizations, mass-media, and other relevant stakeholders participated the Seminar. As a part of observance of the Day, a Cultural Programme was organized in Dhaka. Upholding the theme of the Day and containing messages on safe water supply, water scarcity, importance of personal hygiene practice, etc folk song and a folk­drama were performed by folk cultural groups.

                                                                                                                                         Press Release

Share Expertise to Ensure Better Health Services
Health Adviser Tells Discussion

Health and Family Welfare Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Dr. ASM Matiur Rahman called upon international community to exchange technology, information and expertise to ensure better health services for people.
“Mere investment in health sector will not do, rather exchange of technology, information and expertise among the countries can ensure better health services for people,’ said the adviser while speaking as chief guest at a discussion.
The discussion was organized jointly by Bureau of Health Education and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at Osmani Memorial auditorium in the city to mark the World Health Day 2007. This year’s theme of the day was Invest in Health and Ensure Safer Future.
.
Admitting that the nation has severe limitation of resources, the adviser stressed on highest utilisation of these resources so that maximum number of people can be benefited from them. He said the government has already introduced ‘clustering system’ under which logistics and equipment of adjacent upazila health complexes will be shared to cope with local demands and provide better health services to people.

Regarding high mortality rate of pregnant mothers, the adviser said, ‘We have to ensure that no single mother dies of pregnancy related complexities.’
NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation participated in the Discussion and demonstrated a stall along with different government and national organizations. NGO Forum provided a set of communication materials to the Adviser, during his visit at the stall.

Water Scarcity in Bangladesh
LGRD Adviser Callls for Effective Plan and Collective Efforts

Water ecperts, NGO represetatives, develop,ent partners and other stakeholders underlined the need for evolving modern water management strategies and developing new techniques to ensure adequate supply of pure drinking water across the country. Speaking at a seminar on Water Scarcity in Bangladesh: The Ways Out, they observed Bangladesh is facing acute crisis of pure drinking water due to arsenic contamination in ground water coupled with unplanned urbanization, use of toxic elements in arable lands, discharging industrial wastes in the rivers and population boom in the country.
They suggested for taking concerted efforts involving all stakeholders in mitigating the water crisis through strengthening institutional capacity, promoting more technology transfer and mobilizing financial resources to this end. Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation, WSP-World Bank, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) jointly organized the Seminar in observance of World Water Day 2007. The theme of this year's World Water Day was Coping with Water Scarcity.
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Mohammed Anwarul Iqbal attended the Seminar as the chief guest while Secretary (Local Government Division) Safar Raj Hossain, World Bank Country Director Zhu Xian, WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr. Duangvadee Sunkhobol and Counsellor of Royal Danish Embassy Martin Bo Brander as special guests. Executive Director of NGO Forum S.M.A. Rashid gave welcome speech at the Seminar chaired by Chief Engineer of Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) Md. Mustafizur Rahman. Speaking on the occasion, LGRD and Cooperatives Adviser Mohammed Anwarul Iqbal said Water scarcity is getting acute in Bangladesh.
Under this circumstances, the adviser called for taking effective initiatives towards establishing sustainable safe water supply system to overcome the situation. He underscored the need for ensuring efficiency in using surface water in daily lives of the people especially in agricultural and industrial purposes aiming to reduce pressure on ground water.
He urged all concerned to expedite research, awareness and motivational programmes to innovate and popularize alternative suitable technologies in this regard. Delivering the welcome speech, Executive Director of NGO Forum S.M.A. Rashid highlighted the Forum's efforts of combating the challenges of ensuring safe water supply. Various alternative safe water technologies including Rain-water Harvesting System and Arsenic Iron Removal Plant are being promoted throughout the country in order to ensure safe water supply to the community, he said.
Besides, eminent water & environment expert Dr. Ainun Nishat of IUCN, and Amanullah-Al-Mahmood of DPHE presented two technical papers at the working session of the Seminar chaired by Abdul Kader Chowdhury, former Chief Engineer of DPHE. Representatives from the relevant ministries, govt. departments, diplomatic missions, UN-bodies, academics, national and international development organizations, mass-media, and other relevant stakeholders participated the Seminar. As a part of observance of the Day, a Cultural Programme was organized in Dhaka. Upholding the theme of the Day and containing messages on safe water supply, water scarcity, importance of personal hygiene practice, etc folk song and a folk­drama were performed by folk cultural groups.
                                                                                                                                            Press Release

World Water Day 2007 Observed at District Level

The World Water Day 2007 was observed at district levels with due significance through organizing colourful events like Symposium, Rally, Cultural Programme, etc. These programmes were organized countrywide through 15 Regions of NGO
Forum. In consonance with the global theme for this year the title of the Symposia was Water Scarcity in Bangladesh: The Ways Out. The 15 Regions of NGO Forum are Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Jessore, Barisal, Bogra, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sylhet, Comilla, Tangail, and Dinajpur. Key-note Papers were presented at each of the Symposia highlighting the local level problems in relation to safe water scarcity, personal hygiene practice, environmental degradation, etc. Colourful rallies were organized chanting slogans of the Day and carrying placards, banners, festoons, wearing head-sheds, etc.
Posters and leaflets containing messages of safe water scarcity, environmental degradation, sanitation, etc were distributed among the rally participants to sensitize the mass-people.
Cultural Programmes were organized upholding the theme of the Day as well as highlighting the important and relevant issues in relation to scarcity of safe water, pollution, hygiene practice, etc. The division/district