Youth for SDG 6 formed to ensure safe water, sanitation and hygiene
Water Aid Bangladesh initiated Youth for SDG 6 platform with the objects of attaining new height of excellence and build up leadership to ensure safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. The platform will work to ensure availability of safe water, sound sanitation systems and cleanliness particularly washing hands, monthly health and developing the habit of neat and clean management.
On Sunday (July 28) Additional Secretary of the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry Md. Jahirul Islam as the chief guest inaugurated the platform in a local hotel in the capital.
In the inaugural function special guests were Rubana Haque, President of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturer and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Regional Director of Water Aid of South Asia Tom Palaqudil and others.
Jahirul Islam said that in our capital we are lifting under ground water by using 890 deep tube wells regularly. We had a target to use surface water instead of ground water. But still we have to depend on ground water to the tune of eighty percent. We hope that by 2030 we will be able to bring hundred percent people of Bangladesh under the coverage of safe drinking water and sanitation. I think that this initiative of today will help implementation of that objective.
If we want the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) then we are to bring one crore 40 lakh people under the coverage of safe drinking water and sanitation. Thames river of England was recovered though once it got polluted. If we want then in the next ten years we will be able to recover our polluted and dried up rivers.
Rubana Haque said that youth will be always innovative and will work against misuse of wealth. We always learn from the youth. Usually the people of my age loss merits and power of endurance but the youth posses it. So we want more from the youth of the country.
Water Aid Country Director Md. Khairul Islam said, ‘It is necessary to tag the youth to achieve the SDG 6 within 2030. Then we will be able to get the cooperation of the youth for innovative ideas, ways and means. We are confident that the youth will get opportunities to enhance their skill, setting up contacts with the policy makers and carried on campaigns. By this endeavor they will not only help achieve goal 6 rather they will be able to bring positive changes in implementing SDG.’