Capacity Development in WASH Sector in Bangladesh: Climate Change Adaptation, DRR & Emergency Preparedness (Phase 2)
An expanded national capacity development program commissioned by UNICEF and DPHE across 4 divisions, 3 Dhaka consultative workshops, and Sarah Resort Gazipur residential ToT, training 255 senior engineers and officials across 46 districts.
Client / Funder
UNICEF & DPHE
Location
Chattogram, Sylhet, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka (46 Districts)
Timeline
October 2023 – December 2023
Project Executive Summary
Building upon Phase 1, AIDE Private Limited designed and executed Phase 2 of the flagship capacity development program commissioned by UNICEF and DPHE. Implemented across 4 divisions (Chattogram, Sylhet, Faridpur, Rajshahi), 3 consultative workshops in Dhaka, and a 3-day residential ToT at Sarah Resort, Gazipur, this phase strengthened 255 frontline WASH professionals across 46 climate-vulnerable districts.
Context & Core Sector Challenges
Bangladesh continues to face severe cyclones, floods, droughts, and saline intrusion. Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable due to rapid population growth, unplanned settlements, fragile water/sanitation systems, and a lack of hazard-specific tools.
Escalating Climate Hazards
- Cyclones, floods, droughts & saline intrusion damaging WASH infrastructure.
- Urban areas increasingly vulnerable due to rapid population growth & fragile systems.
Capacity Gaps Among WASH Staff
- Engineers & NGO staff lacked training in hazard-specific emergency planning.
- Limited knowledge of Sphere Standards & digital data collection tools.
Weak Coordination Mechanisms
- District WASH Clusters were underutilized, leading to duplication & slow response.
- Coordination between GO, NGO, and UN agencies needed strengthening.
Urban Preparedness & Tool Deficit
- Existing frameworks were rural-focused; urban disaster preparedness was underdeveloped.
- No standardized hazard-specific tools existed for cyclones, floods & salinity.
The AIDE Solution & Interventions
Click across the four intervention pillars below to explore how AIDE delivered structured training, hands-on disaster simulation, WASH cluster institutionalization, and digital monitoring tools.
2-Day Divisional Trainings in Four Divisions
Conducted 2-day divisional training programs in Four Divisions: Chattogram, Sylhet, Faridpur, and Rajshahi.
Key Implementation Highlights
Sessions covered climate change impacts, DRR, stakeholder roles, Sphere Standards, and climate-resilient WASH tech.
Practical group work included developing hazard-specific contingency and emergency response plans.
Expanded program reach across 46 climate-vulnerable districts in Bangladesh.
Participant Representation
Core operational workforce trained across 46 target locations (255 Total Participants)
Key Results & Development Alignment
Strengthening institutional capacity, scaling long-term emergency response protocols, and advancing international Sustainable Development Goals.
Institutional & Technical Impact
- Residential ToT at Sarah Resort, Gazipur capacitated senior engineers to scale training nationwide.
- Three Consultative Workshops in Dhaka produced hazard-specific tools and filled urban disaster preparedness gaps.
- Adopted Kobo Toolbox data collection app for rapid post-disaster infrastructure assessment.
Global SDG Alignment
- SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation): Ensures resilient, safely managed water and sanitation infrastructure during disasters.
- SDG 13 (Climate Action): Integrates DRR and forecast-based anticipatory action into national engineering guidelines.
- Humanitarian-Nexus: Bridges rapid emergency response with long-term climate resilience building.
Project Photo Gallery
Field photography capturing workshop rollouts, ToT sessions, and cluster coordination meetings.
3-Day Residential ToT Plenary at Gazipur
Opening of the 3-day residential Training of Trainers (ToT) at Sarah Resort, Gazipur with DPHE and UNICEF leads.
Residential ToT & Hazard-Specific Training
Senior DPHE engineers and NGO leads undergoing intensive training on hazard-specific tools and Sphere Standards.
Divisional Training & Emergency Planning
Engineers and district officers developing contingency plans during divisional sessions.
Dhaka Consultative Workshop & Urban Preparedness
Expert consultation on urban WASH disaster frameworks and emergency training module outlines.
District WASH Cluster Coordination & 5W Matrix
Strengthening inter-agency coordination and 5W matrix reporting across 46 districts.
Need Capacity Building or Technical Consultancy?
AIDE Private Limited combines technical excellence with deep field execution experience to deliver climate-resilient WASH infrastructure and capacity development programs across Bangladesh.