The ripple effect of accessible water

An accessible tap stand is increasing independence for Noor and Roshida’s children, including their children with disabilities, after support from CARE Bangladesh. Photo: Md Sohel Rana/CARE Bangladesh

While many people around the world turn on a tap to access water in their home without a second thought, for Noor Hossain* and Roshida Begum*, a tap stand has been life-changing.

The couple live in a host community in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where a large number of the Rohingya ethnic group have fled after facing persecution in neighbouring Myanmar.

With four of their seven children living with disabilities, meeting the family’s basic hygiene needs, such as bathing, had become a significant struggle. Their day to day lives were dominated by the constant need to carry water from a well located 300 meters away from their home.

“The children do not have enough ability to bathe regularly... sometimes, they don’t bathe for a long time,” Rashida said sadly.

Through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Bangladesh, supported by the Australian Government, CARE Bangladesh’s WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) program was able to assist the family and surrounding community to have convenient access to clean water. Accessible tap stands have now been constructed close to the family’s home, connected to an improved water distribution network.

Now, with the simple turn of a tap, clean and safe water flows directly into their home, eliminating the need for back and forth journeys to distant wells.

This water has not only improved the family’s hygiene, but also contributed to their overall health and well-being.

With the burden of collecting water lifted, Noor and Rashida can now channel more of their energy towards their children, particularly those with disabilities, and have found themselves able to dream of a better life.

Roshida, with tears of gratitude, shared the magnitude of the change.

“With the construction of a tap stand in our house, our children can now take baths alone. They do not need the help of others, so I am not worried about their hygiene,” she said.

The ripple effect of this seemingly small intervention extended beyond the immediate family. A total of 708 individuals, including people with disabilities, are now collecting safe water from the improved water distribution network through community tap stands.

This activity was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and implemented by the CARE-led consortium with Oxfam and Plan International.

*Names changed