Advocacy groups on Wednesday hailed the proposed hike in the WASH (Water, sanitation, and hygiene) budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 after years of downtrend.
They, however, expressed their dissatisfaction over proposed 'uneven' allocations in different sub sectors and the gaps between urban and rural allocations.
They also called for ensuring equity in the allocations for different government agencies in the WASH sector.
The observations and call came at the post-budget policy briefing, organised by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and WaterAid Bangladesh, in partnership with the Network of WASH Networks held in the city.
Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of PPRC, presented the budget reactions.
The policy brief, titled "WASH Sector ADP Allocation FY 2026-27: Haor, Char Left Behind, Budget Misses Equity Targets", scrutinised the proposed Annual Development Programme (ADP) allocations for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
Allocation for WASH has been increased by around 25 per cent to Tk 136.18 billion in FY 2026-27, they said, terming it a positive reversal after the sector had declined from its FY2022-23 peak of Tk182.28 billion.
However, although the overall national budget grew by 9.38 per cent and the total ADP grew by 3.16 per cent, the WASH budget grew by a mere 0.13 per cent, according to the policy brief.
"So the challenge is no longer a lack of policy instruments but the failure to implement them effectively and translate allocations into real services for people," said Fayazuddin Ahmad, Head of Policy Advocacy, WaterAid Bangladesh.
The disparity remained the big challenge as urban areas continue to receive nearly 72 per cent of the total WASH allocation in the ADP, despite having large service gaps in rural and hard-to-reach areas, according to their analysis.
Dhaka WASA alone has received Tk 50.10 billion or around 36.78 per cent of the total WASH allocation, they mentioned.
About 45 per cent of the population still lacks access to safe water and safely managed sanitation and around 41.8 per cent of Bangladesh's population still lacks access to safe drinking water and 60.7 per cent lacks safely managed sanitation (BBS-UNICEF MICS 2025), according to their analysis.
Hard-to-reach areas saw a mixed progress with the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council receiving higher allocation in comparison to coastal, char and hoar areas, they mentioned, adding that hygiene remained insufficiently visible as a distinct WASH sub-sector.
"Allocation is one thing, but proper use of allocation is another. Without monitoring, data and a dedicated WASH budget code, accountability remains weak. We must also bring performance failure into focus, particularly in overdue big WASH projects and in operations and maintenance," PPRC Executive Chairman said.
Representatives from Faecal Sludge Management Network, Bangladesh Water Works Association, Coalition for the Urban Poor, Bangladesh Water Integrity Network, Freshwater Action Network South Asia, End Water Poverty, and International Water Association also spoke.
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