DHAKA, Mar 16, 2026 (BSS) – The WaterAid Bangladesh, with the support of the Embassy of Sweden, hosted the national-level workshop for the ‘WASH for UrbanPoor (WASH4UP) phase II’ project.

The workshop held yesterday focused on highlighting the key achievements, lessons learned, challenges, and stakeholder reflections from the project, which operated from April 2023 to March 2026. 

The event showcased baseline and endline results while exploring priority directions for sustaining and scaling inclusive, climate-resilient WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services for the urban poor in Bangladesh, said a press release today.

Mohammad Saiful Islam Mazomder, Joint Secretary, Policy Support Branch, Local Government Division and the chief guest of the event, stated: “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.”

Special guest Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström, First Secretary (Environment & Climate) and Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, alongside Mohammad Mamun-Ul-Hasan, Chief Social Welfare and Slum Development Officer, Dhaka North City Corporation also spoke.

Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström remarked, “The partnership that we have with WaterAid extends beyond the two phases of the programme. In fact, we have had a relationship with WaterAid for almost two decades. In many parts of the world, we collaborate with WaterAid specifically on the issue of accessible, quality and long-lasting Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services and infrastructure.”

Mohammad Mamun-Ul-Hassan highlighted, “Alongside maintaining infrastructure and services, responsibilities toward local citizens must also be fulfilled. We hope the work through which WaterAid is helping illuminate our city will expand even further.”

The event was chaired, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Hasin Jahan, Country Director of WaterAid Bangladesh. In her closing remarks, Hasin Jahan thanked all concerned and said, “Inspired by the work of WaterAid, the Directorate of Education has undertaken various initiatives with its own funding to promote positive WASH behaviour among students at the school level.”

She also highlighted the importance of conducting coordinated research, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health Engineering, WASA, city corporations, and private institutions, to strengthen knowledge and skills as well as support evidence-based decision-making.

The programme included a welcome remark by Azman Ahmed Chowdhury, Director of Business Development and Quality Assurance at WaterAid Bangladesh, a formal presentation on the project by Partha Hefaz Shaikh, Director of Programme and Policy Advocacy at WaterAid Bangladesh, followed by an open discussion led by Fayazuddin Ahmad, Policy and Advocacy Lead at WaterAid Bangladesh.

In his welcome remarks, Azman Ahmed Chowdhury said, “Sustainable urban WASH systems have been established by emphasising alignment between urban WASH policy and planning and civil society.”

In the event, there were also present policymakers and government officials, donor representatives, academia and think tanks, as well as sector experts and NGO/INGO representatives. The gathering brought together around 120 participants to reflect on the project's impact.

About the project: Addressing urban disparities

While urban areas are frequently perceived as having better WASH services, severe inequalities persist for poor urban communities living in slums and informal settlements. These populations face heightened exposure to waterborne diseases, poor sanitation conditions, and environmental hazards such as waterlogging and flooding.

The WASH4UP Phase II project was designed to improve the environmental health and resilience of these WASH-deprived communities. The initiative spanned multiple locations, including the Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Chattogram, and Khulna City Corporations, as well as the Paikgacha, Sakhipur, and Saidpur Municipalities.