A Study on How Climate Change Affects the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (Wash) Sectors in Barguna Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh

Aims and Study Area: A study conducted to identify how climate change affects water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector for Barguna Sadar Upazila.

Methodology: This study applied inductive reasoning methods with inductive and statistical generalization criteria. Used mixed method approach where both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from study areas. However, this study also triangulated findings from literature review and conducted Geo Spatial Analysis that enhanced the strength of the study findings.

Results: From the quantitative findings it was identified that 32% reported they don’t even know what the risk factors of climate change are, among them 41% female which is very alarming for WASH. However, from the KII respondents reported to have waterlogging, increase of temperature, heavy rainfall, and scarcity of water in their locality. 37% of respondents reported to not available the drinking water in all year round and they mentioned it happens due to lower groundwater level, increase salinity in water, damage of water source and draught. 60% of the respondents reported that their latrines were destroyed by a cyclone/tidal surge/water lodging and 33% reported to experience water borne disease in the past three months. Only 10% of respondents agreed that they have sufficient knowledge of the result of climate changes in the WASH sector. Only 5% of women agreed they have access to WASH Management systems during cyclone/tidal surge/water lodging. A total of 30% respondents reported that climate change resulted in extra burden for women and girls in WASH sector.

Conclusion: This study identified that mostly climate change impacts women and girls as have less knowledge on impacts of climate changes in WASH. From those findings this study identified some recommendations which can improve the conditions in WASH sector in Barguna as well as Coastal belt of Bangladesh.