Experts deplore WASH budget decrease

Different organisations working on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on Wednesday called on the government to increase budget allocation for the sector in the upcoming national budget, deploring the recent decrease in the allocation.

The demand was made at a pre-budget press conference organised by the Network of Wash Networks at the Sagar-Runi Hall of the Dhaka Reporters Unity.

They said many people in Bangladesh still do not have access to safe drinking water, proper toilets and healthy sanitation facilities. They also warned that budget cuts in the WASH sector could create more problems for poor and climate-affected communities.

Economist Hossain Zillur Rahman, also a former adviser to the caretaker government, presented the main paper at the event. He said Bangladesh still has a long way to go to ensure safe water and sanitation for everyone by 2030.

According to the speakers, budget allocation for the WASH sector increased for several years but has recently started to fall. They said the allocation reached Tk 187.28 billion in the 2022-2023 national budget, but later dropped to Tk 109.01 billion in the 2025-2026 national budget.

Dr Rahman said this decreasing trend is worrying because many people, especially in villages, slums and coastal areas still suffer from a lack of safe water and sanitation services. 

He also said there is inequality in budget distribution. Some city areas receive better facilities, while many remote and poor areas are still ignored.

The speakers stressed that climate change is making the situation more difficult. Floods, salinity and water shortages are affecting many parts of the country. They said future projects should focus more on climate-friendly and long-lasting water and sanitation systems.

The organisations placed several recommendations at the event. They called for more safe water supply through pipelines, better sanitation systems in slums, deep tube wells in water-scarce areas and separate toilets for girls in schools.

They also proposed a monthly "WASH allowance" of Tk 300 to Tk 500 for poor families so they can afford safe water and sanitation services.

The speakers said women, children, people with disabilities and poor communities should get special support in the next national budget.

They added that increasing the budget alone is not enough. Government agencies and local authorities must also improve their ability to properly use the money and complete projects effectively.