Community-Scale Water Poverty Assessment of WPI Climate Vulnerable Group in South-West Coastal Bangladesh

Water stress has emerged as a critical global challenge due to the growing mismatch between water demand and supply. This issue disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, particularly women, who are often burdened with the task of water collection. While scientific advancements have significantly improved our understanding of water resource availability, there has been insufficient effort to integrate this knowledge with socio-economic factors, leaving a critical gap in addressing the full scope of water stress. To effectively tackle this challenge, a more comprehensive approach is necessary. This study proposes the development of a Water Poverty Index as a tool to assess water stress in a multidimensional way, taking into account both physical water availability and socio-economic conditions. By linking estimates of water availability with key drivers of poverty, this index could serve as a valuable instrument in formulating more effective water resource management strategies. Moreover, by highlighting the interconnectedness of water scarcity and poverty, this index aims to emphasize the need for integrated solutions that address both environmental and social vulnerabilities. It is anticipated that this research will spark meaningful discussion and foster collaboration among experts from various disciplines, as well as policymakers, to develop and implement holistic strategies for managing water resources sustainably.

• Supervision