Dhaka:Discussions have been held with international organizations on a comprehensive plan to ensure safe drinking water for Bangladesh's 180 million citizens, according to Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan. The proposed initiative involves an investment of approximately Tk 25,000 crore.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister shared these details after a meeting with a UNICEF delegation at the Secretariat. He emphasized the critical nature of providing safe water, noting the life-threatening risks posed by contaminated sources.
While Bangladesh has abundant water resources in its rivers, upstream water withdrawal has led to significant challenges such as desertification in the northern districts and increased seawater salinity in the southern regions, which has compounded the drinking water crisis over the decades.
Dr. Moyeen Khan highlighted that the meeting also addressed potential collaborations with the United Nations to support these efforts, including discussions on financing. Representatives from the World Bank, WaterAid, and UNICEF were present to explore how international cooperation could further enhance water safety initiatives in Bangladesh.