AIIB okays $170m loan to improve sanitation facilities

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has approved a US$ 170 million loan to improve Bangladesh's sanitation infrastructure, according to a statement.

About 1.5 million residents in Dhaka will benefit from improved sanitation services following the approval of the loan by the AIIB board of directors, says the statement available on Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) website.

The Dhaka Sanitation Improvement project, co-financed with the World Bank, will support government investments in sanitation infrastructure comprising sewerage systems, sewage treatment, and pilot measures for hard-to-reach areas in the Pagla catchment, one of the most densely populated areas of the city.

Children below the age of five and vulnerable households bear the highest burden of poor sanitation through morbidity and the loss of productivity due to water-borne illnesses, it added.

"AIIB is committed to ensuring that its projects improve quality of life for the most vulnerable communities," said AIIB VP (Investment Operations) DJ Pandian.