NGOs demand equitable allocation for WASH budget

Two non-government organizations (NGOs) demanded equitable allocation for WASH budget over geo-hydrological disparity.
The International NGOs WaterAid and Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) jointly came to the demand at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.
Eminent economist and Chief Advisor (Hon) of HDRC, Prof Dr Abul Barkat presented research findings on the allocation and utilisation of WASH budget in recent years.
Findings showed WASH budget allocation in last five years was heavily urban biased. In contrast, disadvantaged and hard-to-reach areas like char, haor, hill-tracts and coastal belt have not received adequate attention from the policymakers. These pockets did not get proper share of the national WASH budget. An analysis of government budget witnesses a declining trend of allocation in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for last four years. The allocation in FY 2010-11 was 2.4 per cent of the total budget that disappointingly came down to only 1.2 per cent in FY 2013-14.
To overcome this situation, Dr Barkat opined for “an equitable and inclusive WASH budget, feasible in terms of financial implication”.
Khairul Islam, country representative of WaterAid Bangladesh emphasised on adequate budgetary allocation for implementing ‘National Strategy for Water and Sanitation Hard-to-Reach Areas of Bangladesh 2012’, especially for the coastal areas.
Sardar Arif Uddin, Director, Policy and Advocacy was present in the conference.