Bangladesh’s Sanitation Achievements and the Second Generation Challenges

Toilets and related sanitation systems can prevent the spread of diarrhoeal diseases and faecally-transmitted infections threatening young children’s lives. Bangladesh increased sanitation coverage remarkably rapidly due to several factors, including a vigorous national campaign from 2003 to 2006. Now in its ‘second generation’ of sanitation development, Bangladesh faces new challenges. Recommended changes include mobilisation and coordination of multiple government ministries; regular monitoring; continued support for poor households; dealing with poor conditions in urban slums; and expansion of faecal waste management services.