Britain's aid watchdog has raised concerns over the UK's decision to cut funding by two thirds for its water and hygiene initiatives in the overseas aid budget.
According to a report, in an assessment of the UK’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program, the initiative's budget was cut from £206.5 million to an estimated £70 million in 2021, said a press release on Tuesday.
The report, titled “The UK’s changing approach to water, sanitation and hygiene”, mentioned that the UK's target, under its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030 is falling far short from being met.
Tim Wainwright, chief executive of WaterAid UK, said: “The consequences are potentially devastating– lives unfulfilled or even cut short as girls and women have to walk further to collect water or drop out of school, and diseases spread more easily, while the climate crisis rages."
He added that the UK still has a chance to improve the lives of more of the poorest people and regain its position as a world leader on this issue through its forthcoming International Development Strategy.
Tim suggested that the UK needs to restore the aid budget to 0.7% and increase funding for water, sanitation and hygiene alongside technical expertise.
Hasin Jahan, country director of WaterAid Bangladesh, said the foreign aid has significant positive impacts on the people in Bangladesh which has also recognized the role that WASH can play in supporting gender equity and improving health outcomes for women and children.
“Funding cuts mean most vulnerable people are being neglected,” she observed.