By S.M. Osman Goni, Satkhira
A unique marathon titled “Run for Water” was held in the coastal area of Shyamnagar recently, demanding access to safe drinking water. More than 200 young people and environmental activists from different parts of the country, especially coastal districts, participated in the event carrying traditional clay water pots to symbolize the struggle of coastal communities to collect drinking water.
The marathon began at 6:30 AM from Munshiganj Garage Bazar in the upazila and ended at the Gazibari Eidgah Field in Abad Chandipur, Burigoalini Union, after covering a distance of four and a half kilometers.
The event was organized by the local youth volunteer organization Sharub Youth Team to demand safe drinking water for coastal residents. Alongside several non-government organizations, the research organization BARCIK provided notable support in implementing the program. More than 30 youth organizations and NGOs also joined in solidarity.
In the marathon, G.K. Sabbir Hossain from Gabura secured first place, Sagar Hossain from Burigoalini came second, and Wasimul Islam Topu from Satkhira Sadar achieved third place. After the marathon, a brief discussion meeting was held at the Eidgah field.
Among the speakers were Md. Shahin Islam, Regional Coordinator of BARCIK’s coastal region; Mustahid Jami, Deputy Manager of ActionAid Bangladesh; Deputy Manager Arif Siddiqui; Shyamal Kumar Biswas, Chief Executive of CEDO; Sheikh Imran from Bagerhat Badhan Organization; and Habibullah Al Mamun, Assistant Executive Director of SCF.
The speakers urged the concerned authorities to take long-term measures to solve the water crisis. They said the marathon was not just a sporting event, but also a unique initiative to raise social awareness about water rights and climate justice in coastal communities.
Organizers explained that the coastal people of the country’s southwest region are suffering from severe water shortages due to increasing salinity, declining groundwater levels, cyclones, and tidal surges. Through this marathon, they aimed to raise awareness and demand access to safe drinking water.
S.M. Jannatul Nayeem, General Secretary of the Shyamnagar Upazila Volunteer Association and Director of Sharub, said that the event was intended to increase local awareness as well as highlight the drinking water crisis at the national level. He added that although safe water is a basic human right, people in coastal regions have long been deprived of it. Many women have to walk several kilometers daily to collect water, while others are forced to buy water for household use. This marathon was organized to highlight that reality.
