For establishment of Long Term Arrangement (LTA) for Resilient and Inclusive WASH Services Delivery in Host Communities in Cox’s Bazar.

Title Establishment of Long – Term Agreement (LTA) on Resilient and Inclusive WASH Services Delivery in Host Communities – A Districtwide Approach. Purpose Provision of sustainable, resilient and inclusive WASH Services in Cox’s Bazar District.     Location Coxs Bazar District – with special focus on Ukhiya, Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar Municipality. Estimated Duration The LTA will be for three years (36 months) – The initial contract will be signed for one year, and subsequent contracts will be based on the availability of funds. Reporting to the Technical Supervisor of this assignment WASH Specialist, WASH Section, UNICEF Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh   Background Cox’s Bazar District, which has lower Human Development Index (HDI) indicators compared to the national average, is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods, tidal surges, and cyclones. As a coastal district, it also faces significant saline intrusion. These hazards severely affect vulnerable populations by limiting their access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services; they further degrade the quality and sustainability of WASH facilities, hindering progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and the realization of the human right to water and sanitation. Furthermore, these conditions increase the prevalence of vector-borne and waterborne diseases, leading to higher morbidity and mortality, particularly among vulnerable children.   The Rohingya refugee crisis has significantly strained basic social services, resources and exacerbated disparities in WASH services among the host population and refugees. Currently, according to MICS 7, only 39.3% of households have access to safely managed water supply services, while 87.1% of households have onsite sanitation facilities without sewerage connection and 72.2% of households have access to basic sanitation services. Furthermore, 68.9% of households have access to basic hygiene services[1].   A 2022 baseline survey highlights major gaps with just 0.3% of the population living in Municipality reached through a piped water network. Fecal sludge management system remains poor, with no Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant for the Bangladeshi population across the district, and 1.1% still practice open defecation[2]. The situation in schools and healthcare facilities is equally concerning. Approximately 80.2% of schools have access to an improved, year-round water source on the premises, while 86.5% have basic drinking water services. Only 57% of schools provide water supply facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities. Sanitation coverage shows mixed progress. About 61.8% of schools have at least one improved toilet facility located on school premises, and just 34.2% meet national standards (a maximum of 50 students per compartment)[3]. In terms of hygiene, 69.3% of schools have handwashing facilities, but only 44.6% provide group handwashing stations within the premises. Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) shows significant gap with only 18.9% of schools having private spaces for girls and only 12% have emergency MHM materials available[4].   Access to basic WASH services in healthcare facilities (HCFs) remains critically inadequate in Cox’s Bazar. Only 64% of HCFs have water sources available on premises year-round while 28.1% of facilities have at least one improved toilet with provision for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Only 44.2% of the HCFs have toilets accessible to people with limited mobility. A minimal 6.5% of HCFs meet basic access requirements (usability, dedicated staff toilets, sex-segregated facilities with MHM provisions, and accessibility features)[5].   Objectives, Purpose and Expected Results This project will contribute to improving water, sanitation, hygiene and wellbeing of vulnerable people in the district, especially children, women, girls, persons with disabilities and ultra-poor households.