The implication matters because of three reasons. First, the government is on record for promising that it would help provide water and sanitation for all in Nepal by the year 2017.
Second, though Nepal has done well on most MDG-related indicators of human development (i.e. education, maternal health, and so on), it still lags far behind when we consider its achievements in the provision of sanitation to all its citizens. And third, large financing gaps continue to hobble the sector in that there is simply not enough money to build proper toilets and train communties on aspects of sanitation in Nepal by 2017.
Two years ago, the needless deaths of more than 300 diarrhea victims in Jajarkot and other surrounding districts in western Nepal catapulted the issue of sanitation to national spotlight. The tragedy became a lightning rod, which served to increase the funds committed to sanitation and safe drinking water.
In this context, the recent national budget allocation of Rs 9.35 billion (US$ 130 million) for the sector may come as a relief. Of that, 3.35 billion has been set aside for Melamchi and sector reforms, which leaves the total of 6 billion (US$85 million) . But a four-year trend analysis of the budget shows that the allocation growth rate has actually gone down this year when compared to that for sectors such as education and health.
Policymakers insist on missing the point that it’s water and sanitation, the unglamorous and ugly developmental twins, that make the achievements in health and education all the more possible. No water and sanitation, girl students drop out of schools, and children and adults die needlessly.
Can Nepal meet the national target?
The need for more funding for the sector has become all the more urgent because as the government data show 5.5 million Nepalis still do not have access to safe drinking water. Worse, 16 million Nepalis do not have access to toilets, and, therefore, have no choice but to defecate in open spaces, thereby accelerating the risk of having their drinking water contaminated by fecal matters, which, in turn, increase prospects for cholera and other water-borne diseases.
WaterAid Nepal estimates that annual investment of Rs. 7.5 billion alone is required to meet the national target on water and sanitation. In this scenario, the allocated budget of current fiscal year has seen a financing deficit of Rs 1.5 billion.
More than the allocated amount, where the money is spent matters. Not every district is equal when it comes to needing the most of water and sanitation funds. Districts such as Bajura, Bajhang, Salyan, Darchula, Mahottari and Sarlahi are way behind others in terms of access to sanitation. From equity’s point of view, these districts should be given a high priority, though they simply are not, so that they begin to address their sanitation issues. This is how they will be on the path to showing good results in health, education and livelihood development too.
The budget speech mentioned that girls’ toilets in each community school will be compulsorily built. This is a nice thought, and what guarantee is there this will only remain a pretty slogan and not deliver results on the ground? There is some history to this skepticism. After bringing out “One House One Toilet” slogan last year, the government has chosen to stay quiet about it – not really pushing it forward.
The result has been that the sector has slowed down its momentum and drive. This has made those who work in the sector reluctant to embrace yet another nice-sounding slogan, which ends up doing little to create the kind of urgency the sector needs for water and sanitation for all.
Looking ahead, the water and sanitation sector has three broad areas of focus: How to reach marginalized communities across Nepal, how to reach remote parts of Nepal that have difficult terrains, which make water and sanitation work costly, both in terms of time and money, and how to ensure that young girls do not have to stop their education on account of there being no toilets at schools.
Funds spent on these issues will help Nepal meet its national goals. But a shortage and inequitable distribution of funds may mean that the goal will not be reached. When that happens, Nepal’s development suffers.
Writer is Advocacy & Research Officer at WaterAid Nepal
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