Solar-powered tube wells to serve 12,500 people in coastal Khulna
SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh and Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) have inaugurated 16 solar-powered deep tube wells to provide safe drinking water to around 12,500 people in climate-vulnerable coastal communities.
The facilities were installed in salinity-affected areas of Bagerhat district and Batiaghata upazila in Khulna, according to a press release.
More than 20,000 people are also expected to benefit indirectly from the initiative, supported by EBL as the Climate Action Partner.
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The inauguration ceremony in Batiaghata was attended by Amir Ejaz Khan, Member of Parliament for Khulna-1; Dr Md Enamul Haque, National Director of SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh; Md Abdullah Al Mamun FCS, Company Secretary of EBL; and invited guests.
Senior representatives of both organisations, local government officials, community leaders and residents attended the event.
Many coastal communities in the region face persistent shortages of safe drinking water because of rising salinity and limited access to suitable groundwater sources.
Families often depend on distant or unsafe water sources, and women and children bear much of the burden of collecting water. This affects their health, education and overall well-being, the release said.
Each facility has a deep submersible pump, an elevated water storage tank and a solar-powered operating system designed to provide a reliable and cost-effective supply of safe drinking water.
The partners expect the facilities to help reduce waterborne diseases, ease the burden of water collection and strengthen community resilience to climate change. Improved access to water is also expected to support children's health and school attendance.
"Ensuring access to safe drinking water for climate-vulnerable coastal communities is a matter of national concern," Amir Ejaz Khan said.
"This initiative will make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of families, and I commend SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh and Eastern Bank PLC for undertaking such a sustainable and impactful project."
Dr Md Enamul Haque said children could not thrive when access to safe water was uncertain.
"These facilities will improve children's health, reduce the burden on women and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable families," he said.
"We deeply appreciate EBL's partnership in creating sustainable, long-term impact for coastal communities."
Hassan O Rashid, Managing Director and CEO of EBL, said climate resilience begins with securing essential needs.
"Through this partnership, EBL is transforming its commitment to sustainability into tangible action by improving access to safe drinking water and strengthening the resilience of thousands of people in coastal Bangladesh," he said.
The organisations said the renewable energy-based initiative reflects their commitment to strengthening climate resilience and supporting sustainable community development.
