DHAKA, March 16, 2026 (V7N) – WaterAid Bangladesh, supported by the Embassy of Sweden, hosted a national-level workshop to mark the conclusion of the ‘WASH for Urban Poor (WASH4UP) Phase II’ project, which ran from April 2023 to March 2026.  

The workshop highlighted key achievements, lessons learned, challenges, and stakeholder reflections, while presenting baseline and endline results. Discussions focused on sustaining and scaling inclusive, climate-resilient WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services for Bangladesh’s urban poor.  

- Mohammad Saiful Islam Mazomder, Joint Secretary, Local Government Division (chief guest), said: “Many important issues have emerged from today’s event. These will be reflected in our policies, and the necessary steps will be taken to support their implementation.”  

- Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström, First Secretary (Environment & Climate), Embassy of Sweden, emphasized Sweden’s long-standing partnership with WaterAid: “We collaborate with WaterAid specifically on the issue of accessible, quality and long-lasting WASH services and infrastructure.”  

- Mohammad Mamun-Ul-Hasan, Chief Social Welfare and Slum Development Officer, Dhaka North City Corporation, noted: “Alongside maintaining infrastructure and services, responsibilities toward local citizens must also be fulfilled.”  

- Hasin Jahan, Country Director of WaterAid Bangladesh, thanked stakeholders and highlighted the importance of coordinated research with DPHE, WASA, city corporations, and private institutions to strengthen evidence-based decision-making.  

The WASH4UP Phase II project targeted urban poor communities in Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Chattogram, and Khulna City Corporations, as well as Paikgacha, Sakhipur, and Saidpur municipalities. These areas face severe inequalities in WASH services, with slum residents exposed to waterborne diseases, poor sanitation, and environmental hazards like flooding.  

By aligning urban WASH policy with civil society initiatives, the project improved environmental health and resilience for vulnerable communities. Inspired by WaterAid’s work, the Directorate of Education has also launched initiatives to promote positive WASH behaviour among school students.  

The event brought together around 120 participants, including policymakers, government officials, donor representatives, academia, think tanks, sector experts, and NGO/INGO representatives. Presentations were delivered by Azman Ahmed Chowdhury (Director of Business Development, WaterAid Bangladesh) and Partha Hefaz Shaikh (Director of Programme and Policy Advocacy), followed by an open discussion led by Fayazuddin Ahmad, Policy and Advocacy Lead.  

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