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BRINGING BACK THE WATER IMPACT STORY ON DAM CONSTRUCTION In Cox’s Bazar (an area in Bangladesh hosting the world's largest refugee camp complex), both host and Rohingya community experience perennial water problems which has limited productive “Around 120 decimal land is use of land and ability to meet basic needs now suitable for farming in such as bathing, cooking, and washing. dry season as well as whole Rainy seasons have been unpredictable year. Homestead gardening, and ranged from acute shortages to daily activities like washing, deadly torrential rains which often see communities experiencing 5-6 months of cooking etc. are easy-going water shortages during the dry season. now” - Alam (50), community member Agriculture being the main livelihood activity, host community members depend on water but during the troubled season, communities temporarily shift into menial jobs that include cutting bamboos from nearby shrubs, rickshaw pulling, or work for building construction. Recurrent water problems prompted community meetings subsequently leading to suggestions for a dam construction. Having known about community water problems through discussions with the community, DRC through funding from DANIDA implemented a livelihoods project in collaboration with the community to ease the water problems. The project aimed to improve waste management and stewardships of natural resources in refugee settlements and host communities through the implementation of generative circular economy solutions. A component of the livelihood project focused on dam construction and stablishment of a rainwater reservoir which were complemented by local community support with seed distribution, cash for work opportunities, bamboo plants, agricultural equipment, livestock support etc. DRC provided technical assistance during dam construction. About 40 -45 community members aged 18-55 years provided labour support compensated as cash for work. Mr. Alam (50) and Mahmuddul Hoque (27) were among the participants. “I was a day labour before and now I am a farmer as water scarcity has reduced enabling me to be able to do homestead farming. So, I think my life is changing.” - Shirajul Hoque (32), community member As a result of the dam construction, a lot of major changes have been brought about in the local community. Some major changes involve reduced dependence on negative coping mechanisms, independent decision making and engagement in productive activities such as livestock husbandry. Idle lands are being utilised to grow crops and vegetables and community members are noting some indications of household economic stability. “The major changes happened in January 2021, after the Dam construction and everyone is enjoying farming now,” Mr. Alam added. The advisor of Water User Group Mr. Iqbal stated, “Families strife’s are now less than before as these were mainly happening because of poverty. Women empowerment is improving as some income generating opportunities in agriculture have been created. Previously it was prohibited for women to go out for earning but currently, specially by homestead gardening they can support their family economically without going outside of their locality”. A community member, Ms. Rajia Begum (38) mentioned “Though it’s in small quantity, I am selling my harvest regularly now what I could not be able to do previously.” Mr. Alam, talked about some important positive changes that have been experienced in their local community. He added “Life changes in the community, as we are now using our time fully through the whole year. In previous we had to do our daily activities with very limited water, however now we can use water whenever and however we want”. “I can now take decisions for the family, since I am earning from cultivation”. - Rajia Begum (38), community member Rajia dreams to educate her daughters and not to get marry below 18. From the dam construction intervention, some long-term effects are expected at community level. Mr. Sayed Mia, the chairperson of a local agricultural organisation stated, “Now almost 300-400 beneficiaries benefitted from the dam construction while in the long run, approximately 2000 families may be reached”. The community in general expect continued water availability which shall create further opportunities for cultivation, self-employment, increased use of land and a gradual improvement on the community living standards. In future, Mr. Alam want to stablish himself as a master farmer. Mr. Mohammad Iqbal, the member of Union Parishad emphasised “since DRC has activated the existing committee “Krishi Sangathan” the committee will take lead to sustain the progress of economic and other social activities which include opportunities income generating, agriculture self-dependence mindset, skill development and safe water access etc. Key lessons generated from the project relate to the significance of community involvement, stablishment of Water User Group and participation which offered opportunities for skill development and ownership.
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