Concern over UK's funding cuts for water, hygiene projects

Britain's aid watchdog has raised concerns over the UK's decision to cut funding by two-thirds for its water and hygiene initiatives of the overseas aid budget.

In an assessment of the UK's water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme, concerns were raised over the initiative's budget being cut from £206.5 million to an estimated £70 million in 2021, according to a report.

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 of being met. So far, progress is lagging well behind these ambitions.

"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," Tim Wainwright, chief executive at WaterAid UK, was quoted as saying.

It needs to restore the aid budget to 0.7 per cent and increase funding for water, sanitation and hygiene alongside technical expertise, he added.

Hasin Jahan, Country Director of Bangladesh said, "Foreign aid has significant positive impacts on the people in Bangladesh which has also recognised the role that Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) can play an important role in supporting gender equity and improving health outcomes for women and children."

Funding cuts mean most vulnerable people are being neglected, she added.

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