Slum children appeal for water, sanitation facilities

They urged the ward commissioner Ariful Islam during a discussion at the Dooti project office of Prativa Samaj Kalyan Samity (PSKS), an NGO working for improving the condition of poor children.

"We are deprived of our basic rights like water, sanitation and education," Bristi, a 14-year-old school girl said. She said a number of girls and boys of her age are being subjected to persecution by local hooligans and musclemen.

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Local residents said the slum children of ward 53 accounts for around 2,500 and most of them live in an unhygienic condition with almost no facilities of sanitary latrines and safe drinking water. The kids have to collect water for their families since their parents go to work, they added.

Arif said the government has set a target to ensure sanitation facilities for all by 2010 across the country. The slum dwellers will also be brought under the sanitation coverage in Dhaka and other major cities under the programme, he added.