Water scarcity has become a pressing global concern, affecting many regions around the world, and severe water shortages have already been observed in some areas. According to the United Nations, the number of people living in water-stressed regions is expected to increase substantially, with more than half of the world's population projected to be affected by 2025.
Among the countries grappling with water-related challenges is Bangladesh, which has been experiencing issues such as water scarcity, contamination, flooding, and river erosion. These problems are not limited to Bangladesh but are part of a broader global crisis that requires collective action.
To this end, the UN 2023 Water Conference was recently held from March 22-24, 2023, at the UN Headquarters in New York, aiming to address these challenges. Bangladesh played a crucial role in the conference, having been elected as the Vice-President of the UN 2023 Water Conference, providing an opportunity for the country to contribute to global efforts to tackle the water crisis.
Development Organisation of the Rural Poor-DORP a national Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has been working with the poor, particularly the women, Children and excluded communities, to bring about a positive shift in the water crisis and address problems.
Deputy Executive Director of DORP Mohammad Zobair Hasan was one of the speakers at the conference to talk about Water Action and Human Rights, specifically implementing the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation at the local level. During his speech, he emphasised the need for all stakeholders to increase coverage by allocating more budget and investing in this critical infrastructure. According to JMP, jointly managed by WHO and UNICEF, in 2021 the coverage of safely managed water in Bangladesh is currently around 50 per cent.
Why did DORP attend the UN 2023 Water Conference?
Mohammad Zobair Hasan, representing DORP, participated in the 2023 UN Water Conference in order to tackle these concerns. DORP aims to secure water rights in accordance with the United Nations, which mandates that every individual has the right to access safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water for personal and household use, including adequate water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene, without any discrimination. This right also encompasses access to water for cultural practices, food production, and sanitation purposes.
DORP focuses on achieving sustainable development through self-reliance and participatory approaches, particularly for marginalized people in Bangladesh who are affected most by poverty, natural calamities, crises, sanitation, and health problems. One of the most pressing issues in the coastal upazilas of Bangladesh is the water problem, which has become increasingly severe due to population growth, urbanization, and climate change.
Bangladesh is a densely populated coastal country that has been experiencing an alarming rise in natural calamities in recent years, including floods, cyclones, and droughts. These disasters have led to extensive damage to property and loss of lives, exacerbating the vulnerability of the country, which already has low-lying topography and inadequate infrastructure. The indirect impacts of water-related disasters are also increasing, including the outbreak of water-borne diseases due to contaminated water sources and poor sanitation facilities.
Bangladesh faces several chronic water-related problems, including decreased drinking water availability, salinity intrusion in coastal areas, reduced water levels in rivers and groundwater reserves, arsenic contamination in drinking water, and contamination of water sources with harmful pollutants. These issues have significant impacts on the lives and livelihoods of people, particularly those who rely on agriculture and fishing for their income. The government of Bangladesh has been taking measures to address these challenges, but progress has been slow due to limited resources and infrastructure.
DORP participated in the 2023 UN Water Conference to secure water rights in accordance with the United Nations, which mandates that every individual has the right to access safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water for personal and household use without any discrimination. This right also encompasses access to water for cultural practices, food production, and sanitation purposes.
What are some of the proposed solutions to the challenges facing the management of water resources?
Mohammad Zobair Hasan said, “Bangladesh is vulnerable to flooding during monsoons and faces water scarcity in the dry season due to over-extraction, soil salinisation, and reduced agricultural productivity. Water pollution is also a significant problem in urban areas due to untreated industrial waste and sewage. The management of water resources in Bangladesh is the responsibility of various government agencies, but a lack of coordination and communication between them results in inefficiencies. Inadequate funding for water-related projects and limited data and information on water resources also pose challenges for effective management.”
Zobair proposes solutions such as rainwater harvesting, water conservation, proper groundwater management, wastewater treatment, flood control measures, basin-wide river management, integrated water resources management, and strengthening water governance. Overcoming water problems in Bangladesh requires a multi-faceted approach, including investing in better infrastructure for flood control, improving land-use planning, reducing deforestation, focusing on sustainable water management practices, enforcing strict regulations on industrial waste and sewage discharge, and promoting public awareness and education on water conservation and pollution prevention.
How can water resources be managed efficiently in the face of growing scarcity of resources, and increasing environmental challenges and climate change?
To manage water resources efficiently in the face of growing scarcity and environmental challenges, efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, water pricing policies, water-saving technologies, protecting wetlands and other water bodies, improving water quality monitoring, and encouraging public participation are crucial measures. Implementation of policies related to water issues, clear frameworks, commitment of leaders, proactive and collaborative efforts are also essential to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water resources for all.
Zobair Hasan's emphasis on the implementation of policies related to water issues highlights the importance of having a clear framework in place to address the challenges related to water scarcity and management.
Moreover, his call for the commitment of leaders in coping with water problems emphasizes the need for proactive and collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water resources for all.
How can we link the takeaways from UN Water Conference23 in the context of Bangladesh?
The takeaways from the UN Water Conference23 can be linked to the water challenges that Bangladesh faces, particularly in relation to water governance. The conference emphasized the importance of effective water management, including ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation, promoting sustainable use of water resources, and enhancing the resilience of communities to water-related risks.
However, Bangladesh's water governance has been hindered by government mismanagement and budget shortages. The lack of political will and investment in the water sector has led to institutional and regulatory gaps that limit the effectiveness of water management. As a result, vulnerable communities, including women and marginalized groups, continue to face water-related risks and inadequate access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
To address these issues, Bangladesh needs to prioritize investments in water infrastructure, improve water governance, and address institutional and regulatory gaps in the water sector. The government needs to allocate sufficient budgets for the water sector and establish effective policies and regulations to ensure equitable access to water resources and protect vulnerable communities. It is also essential to involve local communities and stakeholders in water management decisions to promote sustainable and inclusive water management practices. By implementing these measures, Bangladesh can enhance its water governance and ensure equitable and sustainable access to water resources for all its citizens.
How can water resources in Bangladesh be managed efficiently in the face of growing scarcity of resources, and increasing environmental challenges and climate change?
Bangladesh faces challenges in managing its water resources due to factors such as climate change and water scarcity. To efficiently manage these resources, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Strategies like promoting water conservation, upgrading infrastructure, encouraging sustainable agriculture practices, managing groundwater, and adopting integrated water resource management can help. Also, implementing measures to adapt to the impacts of climate change like developing early warning systems for floods and droughts and promoting climate-resilient water infrastructure can ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources in Bangladesh.
What role can DORP play in addressing water-related challenges in Bangladesh and globally?
DORP can play a significant role in addressing water-related challenges in Bangladesh and globally by working with marginalized communities, particularly women and children, to promote sustainable water use and management practices. DORP has been actively involved in implementing water and sanitation projects in rural areas of Bangladesh, focusing on community-based approaches to ensure that people have access to safe and affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities.
DORP collaborate with government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector to develop and implement integrated water resources management plans, strengthen water governance and regulation, and promote sustainable practices. By working together, NGOs and other stakeholders can leverage their strengths and resources to achieve a greater impact in addressing the water crisis.
DORP is a member of several notable organizations in the fields of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene. These include the Freshwater Action Network South Asia-FANSA BD, Water Supply & Sanitation Collaboration Council-WSSCC, Sustainable Sanitation Alliance-SuSanA, International Water Association-IWA, Bangladesh WASH Alliance-BWA, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), the Bangladesh Water Integrity Network-BAWIN, End Water Poverty-EWP, and Menstrual Hygiene Management-MHM.
DORP’s work serves as a reminder of the critical role that NGOs and civil society organizations play in finding sustainable solutions and ensuring that human rights to water and sanitation are upheld at the local level.
