Sukia - Integrated Urban Development Phase 2 (IUD-II)
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Authors
Amanda Ross
Issue Date
2015-08
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Environment , Water and Sanitation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Sukia is 38, widowed and has one son and one daughter. She is one of the leaders of her area, Old Pourashava in Jessore, Bangladesh - a dalit area settled about 200 years ago. It is a small community of around 30 households in a dense cluster, accessed from an alley from the main road. The streets are narrow - suitable only for pedestrians and bicycles. Sukia explained "previously the ground here was covered in waste, mud and urine, now we have a paved walkway with drainage. Our environment is better than ever before. Before we collected water from a dirty source, now we have clean water from our deep tube well and a wall to give some privacy from the main road when we are washing." Now that the community has its own well and pump, they no longer have to risk their health just to have a drink. Sukia speaks with the confidence of a woman proud to represent her community. She goes on to tell us that while before there were only 2 toilets per 30 families they now have one per 10 families, with a member of the community given the job of keeping them clean and in working order. When it rains heavily (as it does frequently in monsoon season) the water flows down holes in the pathway into the drains instead of flooding the houses as it did before. Sukia showed us their community action plan and explained that they still have work to do on improving the housing, creating an area boundary and she is confident that now they will be able to access local municipality funding, something they would not have dreamed of 5 years ago. Sukia said, “you and me make a difference together.” The Integrated Urban Development Phase 2 (IUD-II) has resulted in a healthier environment through infrastructure development and safe water access.