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The ECCCP-Drought project seeks USD 24.96 million in GCF grants to address climate-induced water scarcity in the Rajshahi, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj districts of Bangladesh. The project employs a '4-R' approach (Reuse, Recharge, Recycle, and Reduce) to manage water resources, featuring the installation of 2,500 rooftop Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems and 40 pond-based recharge wells to replenish groundwater. It also includes the re-excavation of 300 ponds and 140 km of canals to improve surface water storage. To enhance livelihoods, the project promotes drought-adaptive cropping patterns and fruit varieties for 15,000 farmers, aiming to reduce irrigation water needs by 70%. Institutional capacity will be strengthened by establishing a climate change unit within the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) and a national MAR centre under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The report assesses gender-based vulnerabilities in northwest Bangladesh to support the ECCCP-Drought project, which aims to benefit 215,000 people through water infrastructure and resilient agriculture. It identifies systemic barriers for women, including limited land ownership, wage discrimination in agricultural labor, and restricted mobility. The assessment highlights how drought exacerbates these issues, increasing food insecurity and the prevalence of early marriage. To address this, the project mandates that 50% of beneficiaries and Climate Change Adaptation Group (CCAG) members be women, while integrating gender-responsive measures into water management and agricultural activities.

The report examines the causes and consequences of water scarcity in Bangladesh, focusing on the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin. It analyzes bilateral water treaties between India and its neighbors (Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh) and evaluates the effectiveness of multilateral organizations like the Nile Basin Initiative and the Mekong River Commission to identify best practices for regional cooperation. Primary research indicates a long-term decline in the dry-season flow of the Padma River, potentially exacerbated by the Farakka Barrage, while rainfall patterns remain largely stable. Stakeholder mapping reveals significant communication gaps between policymakers and affected populations, and the report suggests that water scarcity can act as a trigger for localized conflict, particularly in the Padma basin.