HYSAWA’s commitment to safe water access reaches far beyond remote villages. It also focuses on supporting ethnic minority communities that often remain underserved in national development efforts. One such community is the Rakhine Para in Jhilonjga Union, Cox’s Bazar. Families from the Rakhine ethnic minority living there faced daily challenges in accessing safe drinking water.
For many years, households in Rakhine Para had to buy drinking water from outside sources, spending between 100 to 150 taka every day. This was a difficult financial burden, yet without their own safe water source, they had no alternative. Purchasing water was necessary to keep their families healthy.
HYSAWA spent time understanding the struggles of the community and held consultations with local residents. Based on their needs, HYSAWA installed a solar-powered piped water supply system in the area. This system has transformed daily life for the families living there. They no longer need to buy water, nor worry about where it will come from. Safe and reliable water is now available within their own neighborhood.
“Now we do not have to buy safe drinking water. Thanks to HYSAWA,” said Makhinla, a young girl from the Rakhine community, expressing her gratitude for the support that has made life easier for her family.
The progress in Rakhine Para reflects a much larger effort taking place across the country. In 2025, HYSAWA installed 46 solar-powered piped water systems, bringing safe drinking water to 1,690 households. As a result, more than 10,000 people now have clean water within a short walking distance.
These achievements build on years of dedicated work. Since 2008, HYSAWA has installed 89,000 water points, benefitting almost 4.6 million people 
with reliable access to water. In addition, the organization has provided funds to 1,167 Union Parishads and Municipalities and trained 17,490 local government staff to strengthen their capacity to manage and sustain WASH services.
From ethnic minority communities to remote villages, HYSAWA’s work continues to bring lasting change. Safe water, sanitation and hygiene are becoming a reality for families who once lived without these basic essentials.
Case study collected by Mostafa Mohammad Tahan, Media & Communication Officer, HYSAWA, December 2025.