The Zambia NGO WASH Forum, has urged Government to significantly increase the budget allocation to the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector for the year 2025.
Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, will present the 2025 budget to parliament tomorrow, 27 September, 2024.
Forum Coordinator, Bubala Mumba, said the WASH sector is critical to Zambia’s public health, socio-economic development, and environmental sustainability.
She said despite its importance, the sector has faced declining budget allocations in recent years, which has hindered progress towards achieving universal access to safe water and sanitation.
Ms. Mumba observed that the sector has over the last 5 years only been allocated less than 2% of the national budget.
“The nation’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) WASH costs are however, estimated at an annual average of over 3 Billion Kwacha,” said Ms. Mumba.
She also stated that there is need to increase funding for the construction and rehabilitation of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion programs.
Ms. Mumba also emphasized the need for dedicated funding to fully implement the Multi-sectoral Cholera Elimination Plan.
The Forum’s National Coordinator stated that the plan requires a minimum of US$19.87 million over the next five years to eradicate cholera by 2030.
Angel Kasabo
