ZCZC
BSS-03
URBAN-UPLIFT-MEETING (with picture)
Slum dwellers getting safe water, sanitation in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI, Nov 2, 2018 (BSS) – Slum dwellers in Rajshahi city areas are
getting safe drinking water, sanitation, housing and education and ultimately
improving their living and livelihood condition.
The views were expressed at a view-sharing meeting with the stakeholders
who urged the authorities concerned to keep for special allocation for the
population in the annual budget and international donor agencies to extend
their furthermore cooperation in this field.
On the other hand some poor, extreme poor and other underprivileged
populations in the slum areas face various water and airborne diseases as
they suffer a lot due to constraints of safe drinking water and sanitation.
BRAC and its Urban Development Programme (UDP) hosted the meeting at
conference hall of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) here Thursday discussing
ways and means on how to fulfill the basic needs of the slum populations.
UDP’s programme of Engaging Multi-Sectoral Partners for creating
Opportunities, improving Wellbeing and Realising rights of the urban poor
(EMPOWER) supported the meeting.
Chaired by RCC Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, the meeting was addressed,
among others, by Ward Councilors Shariful Islam Babu and Nizamul Azim, Chief
Executive Officer Shah Momin, Secretary Rejaul Karim and Executive Engineer
Nur Islam.
During her concept paper presentation, Farzana Parveen, Regional
Coordinator of BRAC, said around 55,000 people living in different slum areas
in the city have started getting the time-fitting tools of improving their
living and livelihood condition through reducing multi-dimensional poverty
and deprivation.
To this end, an empowering situation has been created so that the
targeted people are able to get access to adequate safe drinking water and
sanitation, affordable housing, basic and inclusive services and upgrades
slums.
Under the project, 17,500 youths, including around 13,000 females of 15-
29 age groups are getting empowerment and entrepreneurship privileges through
need-based promotional activities. The project intends to promote socio-
economic empowerment of the beneficiary people.
Mayor Liton said many slum people have started living in brick-built
house driving out their long-lasting living life in thatched or mud-house in
the city with financial support from Community Housing Development Fund
(CHDF).
Rajshahi CHDF has provided housing support for 201 families in 47
settlements in 25 wards out of total 30 ones in the metropolis. Around Tk.
3.25 crore have been distributed as housing loans from the fund.
CHDF has established a process for providing land tenure security and
housing through a number of primary savings groups.
BSS/AH/SA/ 1225 HRS