About 96 percent people have been suffering from acute water crisis during winter season in Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) areas, revealed a survey yesterday.

They have been using dirty water from natural water bodies and suffering from a number of fatal diseases. As a result, many people, including infants and children, have been suffering from diarrhoea and many lost their valuable lives.

The officials of NGO

~£qrum{ woi^g^nsafe water; and sanitation in CHT areas, revealed the vulnerable statistics at a view exchange meeting with reporters at the auditorium of ANANDA in hill town of Khagrachhari.

According to the statistics, about 13 lakh people in CHT areas have been depending on natural springs, canal, hilly holes, lakes, chhara and ziri (local names) to fulfil their demand for water during dry season.

Only four percent people of 26 upazilas under Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban districts are get-

ting safe, water for their daily domestic chores, it added.

The NGO Forum also pointed that it is very difficult to reach at least 111 union parishads with easier technology to serve its people, including indigenous people. But the NGO has been working with government to ensure water facilities in all remote areas of CHT.

Chief of Advocacy and Information Cell Joseph Howlader, Senior Advocacy Officer Saha Dipak Kumar and Rangamati NGO Forum unit Officer Shiplob Chakma also spoke.