Sustainability of sanitation in rural Bangladesh

This is a report on a study of 53 Bangladesh unions declared “100% sanitized” more than 4.5 years earlier under the auspices of a broad-based national sanitation campaign. Union Chairmen received awards if their populations achieved the goal. Findings were generally positive, with 89.5% of surveyed households using some type of improved latrine (shared or not). A dramatic change in social norms was found. Two-thirds of union chairmen were still working on sanitation. Other achievements were the emergence of private sector latrine parts producers and an increase in latrine pit cleaning services. A significant problem was the unclean condition of 56% of improved household latrines. Other challenges are discussed. Recommendations include: Establish quality standards for latrine parts manufacture; Monitor sanitation coverage in all unions in the future; Offer low-interest loans to poor households for latrine purchases; and Keep local government involved and responsible for continuing rural sanitation improvements.