TETRA wins Safe Water Challenge award

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Campus Report :
A group of youths called ‘TETRA’ has won the maiden Safe Water Challenge award for their innovative solution to solve safe water problems in the coastal areas.
UNDP Bangladesh and Pureit of Unilever jointly organised the competition, according to a UNDP press release. The winner received Tk 500,000 for executing the idea.
The winning team, comprised mostly of BUET students, introduces a device named ‘Atoshi’ which simultaneously can desalinate and purify water. This device can produce 8-10 litres of drinking water per day on average, said the UNDP press release.
The device developed with the locally available materials is environment friendly, and can be produced at a low cost and thus can be sold at an affordable price in rural areas.
Earlier in February, UNDP and Pureit of Unilever made a partnership to provide pure water to commoners in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal-6 – access to clean water and sanitation.
As part of the initiative, UNDP and Pureit jointly launched the first ever ‘Safe Water Challenge’, asking youths to submit their proposed solutions to solve safe water challenges in the rural areas of Bangladesh.
Among 130 entries, 10 proposed ideas were primarily selected.
The top 10 finalists on Tuesday presented their ideas before a jury board comprised of experts from different sectors at the UNDP country office in Agargaon of the capital.
UNDP Bangladesh’s acting country director Shaila Khan said, “At UNDP, we believe that the SDGs represent a unique opportunity for big corporate to look at new markets and new technologies. Safe Water Challenge is one such approach to generate ideas for entrepreneurs linked directly with the demand of big corporate bodies.
“This unique partnership with Unilever will encourage other private organisations to come forward and be a part of the journey of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” she added.
Speaking on the occasion, Unilever marketing director of home care Tanzeen Ferdous Alam said, “We’re committed to eradicate water-borne diseases for the people of Bangladesh by providing solutions for safe drinking water and help all the relevant stakeholders to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”
The winner of the challenge will work closely with UNDP and Unilever to implement the plan and establish a business model for safe water.
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