8 wash blocks for waste workers inaugurated in Dhaka

BRAC and The Coca‑Cola Foundation (TCCF) jointly launched eight wash blocks for the waste workers in the capital on Thursday to mark this year’s World Toilet Day.

Supported by TCCF, BRAC Urban Development Programme (UDP) has constructed these sanitation facilities as part of the Bandhan project which aims to develop a model for safe life and livelihood of waste workers in Dhaka city.

Built particularly for the families of waste workers living in the low-income settlements of Dhaka city, other community members can also use these facilities.

Each wash block has a water reservoir and motor-pump to ensure uninterrupted water supply. Soap bars, hand-washing stands and disabled-friendly facilities, including holding bars and staircases to climb, have also been added to the wash blocks.

Dewan Abdul Mannan, councillor of Ward No 11, Dhaka North City Corporation, inaugurated the WASH blocks, at a ceremony attended by country representative (communication and public relations) of Coca‑Cola Bangladesh Ltd Farah Sharmeen, and BRAC UDP associate director Mohammed Abdus Salam. Other officials from the three institutions were also present at the event.

Supported by TCCF, BRAC UDP began implementation of a pilot titled “Bandhan” in January this year to improve the wellbeing of waste workers in 13 low-income communities in Dhaka city.

Under the Bandhan project more than 3,500 waste/cleaning workers have been benefited through various initiatives.