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Introduction |
DSK, initially, started with the program of primary health care in some of the slums of Tejgaon area in Dhaka City. Over the years, in order to be more responsive and effective to the needs of rural and urban poor, it has diversified its program interventions and increased its geographic coverage. The experience gained through such work combined with the needs of the poor community was the leading force to initiate the water and sanitation project in both in rural and urban areas particularly low income group of people.
In order to alleviate poverty there is a need to meet the water and safe sanitation services requirements of target poor rural and urban population. The poorer section of people.
In this backdrop DSK has been working since 1992 through which a water supply model has been evolved that is now known as DSK model of water supply in urban slums to provide water to slum communities. This is the alternate model of supplying water legally to slum communities. Following receipt of permission from City Corporation and DWASA the Water Point (WP) have been constructed and connected with the WASA mains.
DSK gradually it water supply, sanitation facilities and hygiene education and promotion to the rural poor along with urban low income communities.
The community itself has been assigned to manage the WP who bears the cost of capital, operation and maintenance. According to the model communities themselves form group and DSK facilitates training on management, maintenance watsan facilities, health hygiene and behavioral practices. DSK encourages community participation in planning, designing, selecting location, and formulating water and latrine use rules.
In order to contribute to the achievement of total sanitation by 2010 as declared by GoB DSK has been undertaken various community driven sanitation activities in its program areas that includes rural and urban areas with active participation of Union Parishad, Ward Commissioners and the community itself.
DSK has undertaken innovative community based hygiene promotion activities along with water supply and sanitation facilities. HP is considered as a key factor for demand creation, sustainability as well as health improvement as a whole of the target communities. HP is promoted through participatory and interactive approach by involving women, children, adolescents and men.
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