The Story of Kyamolong Chaiswe Mong Karbari Para

The Story of Kyamolong Chaiswe Mong Karbari Para

Navigating Fragility in Bandarban and Rowangchhari

Bandarban and Rowangchhari, two sub-districts in southeastern Bangladesh, are among the country’s most fragile regions. Marked by political tensions, social conflicts, and environmental degradation, these areas face recurring floods, deforestation, and water shortages that severely impact local communities. Limited infrastructure and essential services further deepen their vulnerabilities.

To address these challenges, World Vision Bangladesh launched the WASH in Fragile Context project, a two-year initiative aimed at providing safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. This project has been a game-changer for communities like Kyamolong Chaiswe Mong Karbari Para, where access to clean water was once a daily struggle.

Understanding the Crisis: Conflict, Water Scarcity, and Open Defecation

The region is home to 11 indigenous ethnic groups, known as the Jumma people, alongside Bengali settlers. Since the 1970s, tensions over land, resources, and political autonomy have fueled instability. Environmental factors have worsened the crisis—once-reliable natural springs and canals now dry up for months each year, leaving families without water. 

A 2024 baseline survey by the project revealed that:

• 82.3% of households experience water insecurity
• 49% perceive themselves as highly vulnerable
• The Human Flourishing Index scored just 3.2/10, indicating poor well-being

Additionally, open defecation remains widespread due to lack of sanitation awareness and infrastructure, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.

A Community-Led Approach to WASH Solutions: 

Recognizing the complexity of these challenges, World Vision Bangladesh adopted a context-specific, community-driven approach, focusing on five key areas:

1. Community Engagement & Social Cohesion – The project facilitated dialogue between ethnic groups, faith leaders, and local government representatives to ensure inclusive planning.
2. Sustainable Water Solutions – Given the region’s hilly terrain, traditional water systems were not viable. The project introduced community water networks, deep tube wells, and PoP (Prokrity O Pani) water towers, optimizing natural water sources.
3. Ending Open Defecation – Using the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) model, families were motivated to build household latrines, with committed households receiving subsidies.
4. Watershed Management – To restore depleted water sources, 35 hectares of degraded land were identified for reforestation and conservation, ensuring long-term sustainability.
5. Faith-Based Behavior Change – Faith leaders played a crucial role in challenging harmful sanitation practices and promoting hygiene behaviors.

Kyamolong Chaiswe Mong Karbari Para: A Village Transformed

Kyamolong Chaiswe Mong Karbari Para, a remote village in Bandarban, is home to 173 residents from the Marma indigenous community. For years, villagers relied on small, often contaminated streams for water. Women and children spent hours daily fetching water, affecting their productivity and education.

The WASH Intervention

The project team conducted assessments, water testing, and hygiene awareness sessions before installing a hand pump to provide clean drinking water. The intervention was entirely community-led, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Key actions included:

• Installing a hand pump, benefiting all 32 households
• Establishing a Water Point Management Committee (WPMC) for maintenance
• Conducting hygiene education to prevent waterborne diseases

Impact: A Stronger, Healthier Community

1. Better Health – Cases of dysentery, cholera, and typhoid dropped significantly.
2. Improved Education – Children, especially girls, no longer miss school to fetch water.
3. Women’s Empowerment – Women now engage in homestead gardening and small-scale agriculture, improving household income.
4. Community Resilience – The WPMC ensures long-term maintenance, strengthening local ownership.
5. Economic Stability – Families no longer migrate seasonally for water, enabling consistent livelihoods.

A Model for Resilience in Fragile Contexts

The transformation in Kyamolong Chaiswe Mong Karbari Para proves that even in fragile regions, access to safe water and sanitation can break cycles of poverty and vulnerability. What began as a simple hand pump installation has sparked a profound shift—improving health, education, livelihoods, and social cohesion.

With community-driven solutions and sustainable interventions, the WASH in Fragile Context project is building a future where no one is left behind. 

Prolay Banerjee
WASH Specialist – WASH in Fragile Context
World Vision Bangladesh