Southern Charity Foundation (SCF) has developed a comprehensive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program aimed at building sustainable communities across Bangladesh. Despite the country’s vast network of rivers, access to clean and safe drinking water remains a significant challenge, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Nearly 40% of the population—approximately 70 million people—are deprived of safe water, leading to widespread health risks, especially among vulnerable groups. SCF’s Sustainable Water Access Initiative addresses this issue by providing reliable and safe water sources to communities in need. This initiative affirms SCF’s commitment to clean water as a fundamental human right, critical for overall health and well-being.

Alongside water access, Bangladesh faces a dire sanitation crisis, with over 118 million people, or 69% of the population, lacking safe, sanitary toilet facilities. Poor sanitation is a major contributor to health hazards, particularly in urban slums, refugee camps, and rural areas. In response, SCF’s Community Sanitation Improvement Project has focused on delivering safe, hygienic toilet facilities to underprivileged families, helping to reduce the spread of infectious diseases like cholera and diarrhea. This project prioritizes the most vulnerable populations, including children, women, and the elderly, who are disproportionately affected by inadequate sanitation.

In coastal regions, Bangladesh is also grappling with a salinity crisis, which affects nearly 2 million people due to the intrusion of saltwater into freshwater sources. To mitigate the impact of this crisis, SCF has implemented its Water Storage and Distribution Enhancement Program, which targets the most affected areas and promotes long-term resilience by providing solutions like rainwater harvesting and water desalination systems.

Through these critical WASH initiatives, SCF has reached and supported 600,823 individuals, significantly improving their access to clean water, safe sanitation, and better hygiene practices. By addressing these essential needs, SCF continues to play a vital role in safeguarding health, improving livelihoods, and promoting the dignity and well-being of underserved communities across Bangladesh.