Empowering communities to access safe water and improving their environmental health

Bangladesh, Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh

Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh, a member of the ACT Alliance, engages in the provision of safe water and sanitation facilities such as tube wells and sanitary latrines. In doing so, LHCB gives priority to the vulnerable groups and every effort is taken to avoid any discrimination in its use.

LHCB first enables communities to establish groups from which a management team is drawn. This team is responsible for issues concerning the overall maintenance and repair of the water supply. The total community is involved in site selection, planning, designing, installation and monitoring of sanitation and water services. Beneficiaries are provided with adequate training and know-how to ensure sustainability of the project. LHCB also provides follow-up services to ensure that people continue to properly utilize the services. 

The training of the community groups also includes information on the responsibilities and obligations of local authorities in order to promote accountability. At the same time, LHCB seeks to improve the cooperation with the local authorities, using education, motivation and rapport building tools. Local leaders and civil society are encouraged to take initiative on behalf of the poor in order to ensure the realization of their rights in water and sanitation services

→ For more details, download the "Good Practice Questionnaire" that was submitted to the UN Independent Expert on human rights obligation related to water and sanitation in 2010.