Experts said that the WASH budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023 is insufficient

The Dhaka Times Desk In the proposed national budget, the allocation for the WASH sector in the Annual Development Program (ADP) for the financial year 2022-2023 has increased, but it is less than the increase in the overall ADP.

In a press conference organized at the National Press Club today (June 28), the speakers commented that the allocation in the budget for safe sanitation, environment and capacity building has been insufficient. As a result, they expressed fear that the various steps taken to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030 will be implemented slowly.

Speakers at the event said that the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023 has some positive trends in reducing regional disparities. Allocation has slightly increased in Haor and hilly areas. However, the allocation to char and coastal areas has not increased. Speakers said that this section should be continued appropriately for people living in coastal areas and pastures so that no one is left behind.

Speakers emphasized on proper focus in selection of projects under Annual Development Program and bridging the gap in allocation of WASH sector to people in rural and remote areas. The speakers in the event expressed their opinion that the allocation in the current budget is less to face the upcoming challenges for the people of the marginalized communities in remote areas.

WaterAid, PPRC, FANSA-BD, FSM Network, Bangladesh Water Integrity Network (BAWIN), Sanitation and Water for All, and Water Poverty, MHM Platform, UNICEF and WASH Alliance International jointly organized the press conference at the National Press Club.

An analysis by the Power and Participation Research Center (PPRC) in collaboration with WaterAid showed that WASH ADP allocations increased by 5.44 percent compared to overall ADP growth of 7.5 percent. In the ADP budget of the proposed budget, the total WASH budget is only 118.2 billion of the ADP allocation of 2460.66 billion.

Several positive steps have been taken in this year's budget by identifying spatial disparities; However, they feel that there is a lack of consistency in budget allocation in some sectors. Budget allocation in Haor and hilly areas was quite positive. However, the budget allocation for grassland and coastal areas was not sufficient. Meanwhile, disparities in budget allocation between urban areas still exist. Speakers recommended ensuring proper distribution of funds allocated to address spatial disparities in WASH ADP. The reduction in allocation to the FSM sector will hamper the increase in sanitation coverage across the country. Therefore, the proposed budget should review and examine this matter closely and the speakers also recommended to ensure increased allocation to the FSM sector to meet the upcoming challenges of the WASH sector.

A slight increase in allocation to the hygiene sector is undoubtedly a positive step. However, it will not be possible to achieve the desired results of the WASH sector across the country if it is implemented only through the Ministry of Health. Therefore, holistic policy strategies should be adopted through multi-agency approach on a priority basis.

The executive chairman of PPRC is a renowned economist. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Acting Country Director of WaterAid Hossain Ishrat Adib and representatives of WASH network addressed the press conference. Besides, WASH specialists, journalists and development workers also spoke at the press conference. News bulletins.

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