Matching technologies to people's needs and means

After a donor-funded water and sanitation project in Mirzapur, Bangladesh, had ended, the family latrines were still found in good working order, water-related diseases had been substantially reduced, and 96 per cent of the Tara handpumps were operational and maintained. The project's success was based on community acceptance and the use of low-cost technologies. UNICEF has now set up centres throughout the country for the production of single-pit pour-flush latrines at a subsidized price of US$ 7. Twin pit latrines which cost more than US$ 60 to construct were too expensive for the majority of the poor. New donor-funded projects include a nationwide campaign to promote low-cost sanitation and greater involvement of the private sector in manufacturing and marketing of latrines. To combat saline water intrusion shallow suction pumps are being replaced by Tara deep well handpumps. The Grameen Bank is also active is providing loans for latrine construction. So far the Bank has financed more than 100,000 latrines. A subsidiary loan programme has been developed through which a latrine can purchased with a US$ 14 loan repayable over a one-year period.