IOM, Japan build water supply network for 30,000 Rohingyas

The largest water supply network established by International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Japan at Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar will connect nearly 30,000 refugees.

The solar powered facility built by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Government of Japan, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and related organisations was inaugurated at the Rohingya camp today, according to a press release from Embassy of Japan and JICA Bangladesh.

The inauguration ceremony was held to celebrate completion of the construction of the water supply network they have supported at the camp for displaced people from Myanmar in Bangladesh, the press release said. 

The project is expected to promote health and hygiene among the people living in the camp, and make their lives more convenient, the release said.

During this construction through a Grant Aid Project for 'Ground Water Investigation and Development of Deep Ground Water Source in Urban and Rural Areas', JICA excavated a well that was nearly 400 meters deep, and then, the water supply facility was installed later by IOM.

The water supply network, which extends for 9,900 meters in length, is equipped with 358 taps. Solar panels are used to provide power for pumping up groundwater, resulting in an environment-friendly way to generate power that has never been attempted in this kind of endeavor before, the release added. 

Helal Uddin Ahmed, secretary of the Local Government Division (LGD) of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives attended the inauguration ceremony as representative of the Government of Bangladesh.

He hoped that this facility will bring benefit for the people in the camp and he was grateful for the support from Japan, alongside all the cooperation from other international organizations as well.

Some of the expected users of the water supply facilities in the camp said, "Thank you all for the facility you have provided. We are very happy to see the completion of the new water supply network. We promise to use this facility with proper care".

Minister Takeshi Ito of Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh who was present during the ceremony said, "Water is essential for life. I am glad that Japan is part of this joint effort to save lives of people who had to flee their land, and I hope through this water supply system their lives in this camp will improve".