In Bangladesh, securing clean water and safe sanitation is a daily struggle for many, with women often at the heart of these efforts, balancing household needs and community responsibilities. Against this backdrop, targeted water and sanitation infrastructure initiatives, backed by the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), are easing these burdens, enabling women to thrive in their routines and pursue their aspirations.

LLF's new photo essay, 'Of Water Dignity and Strength', brings to life the stories of women whose lives are enriched by access to reliable water and sanitation systems. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt narratives, this essay captures moments of strength—from a mother in Cumilla Town ensuring her children’s health with safe water to a young school-going girl managing her education and health with newfound confidence.  Each frame celebrates the quiet triumph and enduring spirit of women driving progress in their communities.

Step into the world of women of Cumilla Town and witness the impact of LLF's sustainable water and sanitation solutions. 

Visit and download the complete photo essay **[Of water, dignity, and strength](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Final_Photo_Essay_Of_Water_Dignity_and_Strength_1_95dbced69e.pdf)**

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 Regional Overview - Asia

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Asia is the largest of the world’s continents, covering an area of 44,579,000 square kilometers (17,212,000 sq mi), approximately 30 percent of the Earth’s land area. Asia is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the north by the Arctic Ocean. It is also the world’s most populous continent, with roughly 60 percent of the total population; the continent has a population of 4.5 billion people as of 2021. Asian countries rank as some of the top producers of many agricultural, forest, fishing, mining, and industrial products. Rapid growth, however, has meant further advancements into natural areas, and particularly in the subtropical and tropical areas, which has led to human encounters with new diseases. Infrastructure in developing countries in Asia remains far from adequate, with more than 400 million Asians still lacking electricity; roughly 300 million having no access to safe drinking water and 1.5 billion lacking basic sanitation.



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Lack of access to basic infrastructure can prevent poor communities from connecting to needed resources. Through our investments, the Lives and Livelihoods Fund is providing the steppingstones for prosperity and self-reliance.

Basic Infrastructure

Of Water, Dignity, and Strength

Health

Sanitation

In the heart of communities where every drop counts, a powerful story of resilience, hope, and transformation unfolds. Like the rest of the world, access to clean water and sanitation remains a critical challenge for millions across the Bangladesh, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable communities. In regions, like Cumilla Town, where water scarcity and inadequate infrastructure perpetuate cycles of poverty, innovative solutions are paving the way for sustainable progress. The Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), a partnership dedicated to advancing impactful development, is at the forefront of these efforts, delivering vital water and sanitation projects that empower communities and foster resilience.

LLF presents 'Tainted Water, Unyielding Spirit', a captivating photo essay that dives deep into the lives of individuals and families forever changed by access to clean water and sustainable sanitation. Through striking visuals and personal narratives, this essay unveils the profound impact of water - not just as a resource, but as a catalyst for dignity, empowerment, and unbreakable community spirit. Each photograph is a testament to human tenacity and the ripple effect of compassionate development.

Immerse yourself in the visuals and accounts that showcase the enduring power of sustainable development. Read the stories, feel the emotions, and see the world through the lens of those whose lives are being uplifted.

Visit and download the full photo essay here **[Tainted waters, unyielding spirits.](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Final_Photo_Essay_Tainted_Waters_Unyielding_Spirits_1_a431a3cac8.pdf)**

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We are funding programs that combat infectious diseases, such as malaria and polio, ensure routine immunization, and strengthen primary health-care systems. 

Healthcare

Tainted Waters, Unyielding Spirits 

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Lives and Livelihoods Fund is a joint vision of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and other development cooperation partners aimed at raising the poorest out of poverty in IsDB member countries.

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The Lives and Livelihoods Fund enables member countries to invest in themselves by providing concessional financing for projects with high human development impact.

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The portfolio of projects approved by the LLF from 2016 to 2020 is already transforming thousands of lives and livelihoods.

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Tainted Waters, Unyielding Spirits

26, June 2025

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Tainted Waters, Unyielding Spirits

26, June 2025

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