Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
GUSS recognizes the critical importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in ensuring the well-being of communities. The organisation has implemented a multitude of projects in the diverse environments of FDMN camps, focusing on providing safe water, improved sanitation, and promoting hygiene behaviour.
In both Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island, GUSS has constructed and repaired bathroom and toilet facilities, including around 400 bathrooms and 400 toilet blocks, ensuring better hygiene practices among displaced families. The installation of 6 mega water wells and 155 tube wells for the host community in Cox’s Bazar and Rajshahi further underscores the organisation’s commitment to improving access to clean water.
GUSS goes beyond infrastructure, conducting regular awareness campaigns that address hand-washing techniques, the importance of hygiene, COVID-19, and information about water-borne diseases. The distribution of around 7000 hygiene packages to FDMN in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island reflects the organisation’s comprehensive approach to WASH initiatives. These hygiene packages included sanitary napkins, bathing soap, laundry soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nail cutters, and buckets. Additionally, over 25,000 water filters have been distributed among the FDMN in Cox’s Bazar, Bhasan Char, and the host community, ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water.
As part of the ongoing project in Bhasan Char, GUSS has been actively engaged in a range of impactful activities. Aside from continuous awareness sessions, these efforts encompass the repair and maintenance of various WASH facilities, creating a foundation for improved sanitation and hygiene practices. GUSS has also played a crucial role in establishing an efficient system for the collection, transportation, and segregation of waste, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.
Furthermore, the installation of water tanks and the implementation of a compressor machine for cleaning boreholes help ensure a sustainable and accessible source of clean water for the community. In addition to these infrastructure improvements, GUSS has utilised innovative approaches, such as organising 5 interactive popular theatre shows, to promote awareness and education on WASH-related issues.
In the future, GUSS envisions expanding its scope to address crucial environmental challenges, specifically focusing on sewage sludge management and waste recycling. By undertaking initiatives in these areas, GUSS aims to contribute significantly to sustainable and responsible waste management practices, fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for communities.
