Location: Banchanagar, Laxmipur Sadar Upazilla, Lakshmipur District, Bangladesh,
Date: September 29th, 2025
Organization: ALO (Animation Liberate for Organize)
Report By: Kazi Altaf Mahmood
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQupaW-Yd5Q
1 Executive Summary
Komoli Rani’s family in Bancha Nagar exemplifies the acute challenges faced by marginalized rural households in Bangladesh. The family’s lack of a durable home, sanitation
facilities, and clean water access, coupled with the husband’s debilitating illness, restricts
their ability to break free from poverty. This report, based on a direct interview, identifies
critical needs and aligns them with national development priorities and ALO’s ongoing
initiatives, such as the WASH Project and ALO Safe Abode Project. Immediate interventions are estimated to cost between 245,000 and 345,000 BDT (USD 2,076–2,923) to
address housing, sanitation, and water needs.
2 Individual and Family Needs
2.1 Key Findings at the Family Level
Komoli Rani, her bedridden husband, and their daughter face severe socio-economic
constraints. The husband’s chronic illness limits his ability to work, rendering the family
dependent on irregular income. Their home is inadequate, lacking structural integrity,
and they have no access to a proper toilet or clean drinking water. These conditions
jeopardize their health, dignity, and the daughter’s education, perpetuating a cycle of
poverty.
2.2 Methodology for Family-Level Data
Data were collected through a semi-structured interview with Komoli Rani in Bancha
Nagar on September 29, 2025. The interview, conducted as part of The People’s Voice
Episode 33, focused on the family’s living conditions, health, and immediate needs. Open-ended questions allowed Komoli to articulate her challenges, ensuring a grounded understanding of her circumstances.
3 Regional and National History of the Issue and Need
3.1 Regional Context
Lakshmipur District, situated in Bangladesh’s coastal Chittagong Division, faces persistent challenges in rural infrastructure development. According to a 2023 report by the Bangladesh
Bureau of Statistics (BBS), only 68% of rural households in Lakshmipur have access to
improved sanitation, compared to the national average of 74%. Access to clean drinking water remains limited, with 22% of rural households relying on contaminated sources. Bancha Nagar’s remote location exacerbates these issues, as poor communication
infrastructure hinders service delivery.
3.2 National Context
Nationally, Bangladesh has made strides in poverty reduction, but rural areas lag.
The World Bank’s 2024 Poverty Assessment notes that 14.6% of Bangladesh’s rural population lives below the poverty line, with inadequate housing and sanitation as key drivers. The lack of clean water contributes to 110,000 annual deaths from waterborne diseases. These challenges are particularly acute for families with disabled or chronically
ill members, who face higher barriers to economic participation.
3.3 Alignment with National and Global Goals
The family’s needs align with Bangladesh’s Eighth Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), which
prioritizes rural infrastructure and poverty alleviation (2). Specifically, the plan targets
universal access to sanitation and clean water by 2025. These goals also support SDGs 6
(Clean Water and Sanitation) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), emphasizing
equitable access to basic services.
4 Methodology
This report draws on primary data from a face-to-face interview with Komoli Rani,
supplemented by secondary sources from BBS, WHO, and the World Bank. The interview
was conducted in Bengali, translated, and transcribed for accuracy. Regional and national
data were sourced from publicly available reports to contextualize the family’s needs
within broader trends.
5 Needs Assessment Findings
5.1 Family Needs
- Housing: The family lacks a durable home, exposing them to environmental hazards
and insecurity. - Sanitation: The absence of a toilet compromises hygiene and dignity, particularly
for the female members. - Clean Water: Reliance on unsafe water sources poses health risks, exacerbating the
husband’s illness. - The daughter’s education is at risk due to financial constraints and lack of basic
facilities.
5.2 Existing Resources and Gaps
ALO’s WASH Project provides sanitation and water solutions in Lakshmipur, but coverage in Bancha Nagar remains limited due to logistical challenges. The ALO Safe Abode
The project has supported 120 households with durable housing since 2023, yet demand far
exceeds supply. Gaps include insufficient funding for deep-tube wells and sanitation
facilities, as well as limited outreach to remote villages like Bancha Nagar.
6 Resource Requirements
To address the family’s immediate needs, the following interventions are proposed:
- Durable Housing: Construction of a single-room house with weather-resistant materials is estimated at 200,000–300,000 BDT (USD 1,695–2,542, at 118 BDT/USD).
- Sanitation Facility: A pit latrine with a concrete slab and superstructure costs
approximately 30,000 BDT (USD 254). - Deep-Tube Well: Installation of a deep-tube well for clean water access is estimated
at 15,000 BDT (USD 127).
Total estimated cost: 245,000–345,000 BDT (USD 2,076–2,923). These interventions
would provide immediate relief and align with ALO’s ongoing projects.
7 Conclusion
Komoli Rani’s family represents countless rural households in Bangladesh grappling with
inadequate housing, sanitation, and water access. Their challenges, rooted in systemic
rural underdevelopment, demand targeted interventions. ALO’s WASH and Safe Abode
Projects offer viable frameworks, but scaling up requires increased funding and logistical
support. By addressing these needs, ALO can help break the cycle of poverty and improve the
quality of life in Bancha Nagar.
8 Appendices
- Transcript of The People’s Voice Episode 32 (available upon request).
- ALO WASH Project Report 2024.
- ALO Safe Abode Project Guidelines.
References
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 2022. Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022. Dhaka: BBS. https://bbs.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/bbs.portal.gov.bd/page/b343a8b4_956b_45ca_872f_4cf9b2f1a6e0/2023-06-25-15-38-202e9c9b8eed1a7d9d7f08c30090164d.pdf.
General Economics Division. 2021. Eighth Five-Year Plan (2021–2025): Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2021–2041. Dhaka: Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh. https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/bgd205536.pdf.
World Health Organization and UNICEF. 2025. Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000–2024: Special Focus on Inequalities. Geneva: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. https://data.unicef.org/resources/jmp-report-2025/.
