Call for EOIs: Sustaining WASH Services for Rohingya Refugees on Bhasan Char (Bangladesh)
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The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund has launched a call for partners to deliver sustainable WASH services for Rohingya refugees on Bhasan Char Island in Bangladesh.
This opportunity focuses on ensuring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for a population of 19,000, including women, men, boys, girls, and persons with disabilities. The initiative aims to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term sustainability in line with global WASH standards.
Under the Bhasan Char Joint Response Plan for 2026, the program sets ambitious targets. All refugees must have reliable access to safe drinking water and water for domestic use. Equal importance is placed on ensuring quality sanitation and solid waste management services. Alongside infrastructure, there is a strong emphasis on community awareness to protect against public health risks, uphold child safeguarding, and promote accountability.
The key outcome is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable access to WASH services, complemented by essential hygiene supplies. Monitoring will focus on measurable indicators such as the number of people accessing safe water, compliance with E. coli standards, functionality of water networks, and the availability of gender-inclusive and disability-friendly facilities. Success will also be tracked through hygiene behavior adoption, safe use of communal spaces, participation in safeguarding sessions, and effective complaint and feedback mechanisms.
The selected implementing partner will be expected to demonstrate technical leadership and the ability to deliver WASH services in both humanitarian and development contexts. Strong organizational capacity is essential, with expertise in international and national WASH policy frameworks, the Sustainable Development Goals, and global standards such as Sphere and ISCG. Experience working with children, adolescents, and vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, will be critical to ensuring inclusivity.
Technical capabilities in water quality monitoring, solid waste management, fecal sludge management, and vector control are required. The partner must also have the ability to lead technical working groups, build staff capacity, and design effective programming tailored to local needs. Approval to work in Bhasan Char is mandatory for eligibility.
This initiative reflects UNICEF’s commitment to protecting health and dignity while advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation for all. By combining infrastructure, technical expertise, and community engagement, the program will not only meet urgent needs but also lay the foundation for resilience and long-term well-being among Rohingya refugees on Bhasan Char Island.
