4000 children die every day from diarrhoea caused by unclean water and poor sanitation.
Deadly financing gap for WASH in Liberia
New report from 12 international and Liberian NGOs outlines financing gap of $93.5m
30 June 2010
Liberia has an immediate financing gap of $93.5m to meet 2011 targets to improve disastrously poor levels of safe water, sanitation and hygiene, according to a report released by 12 international and Liberian NGOs.
The report Life and Dignity at risk: Liberia’s water, sanitation and hygiene sector argues that to prevent the scandal of preventable deaths from unsafe water and sanitation in Liberia, the government and donors need to act together immediately to significantly increase financing and improve coordination.
The report reveals sobering statistics: three out of four people have no access to safe water for drinking and household use, and six out of seven have no access to sanitation facilities such as toilets. Altogether, unsafe water and poor sanitation and hygiene account for 18 per cent of all deaths in Liberia.
Liberia’s government has recognised the scale of the challenge, and set a target of extending safe water to half the population, and sanitation to one third of the population, by 2011. Progress is in danger, however, because of a lack of funds and poor coordination amongst donors and government. The report reveals that of the $143.5m required to meet these targets, barely a third, just $50m, has been committed so far. Donors are not coordinating their activities properly, and the lead donor for the sector does not have a permanent presence in the country.
“The situation is urgent,” said the report’s author Muyatwa Sitali. “Only 18 months remain to meet the 2011 targets: this is a challenge but one that can be met with the right commitment, planning and financing. Liberia’s donors need to contribute at least $80m of the $93.5m financing gap and stop wasting time and resources through poor coordination. This is a tiny amount for donors, but would make all the difference to the millions of Liberians who put their lives at risk every day by using unsafe water.”
“Liberians are dying because of lack of safe water and sanitation,” said Prince Kreplah of the Liberia WASH working group. “We are calling on our government to increase financing and work closely with donors to improve support to the WASH sector, in order to ensure that our citizens’ rights to life and dignity are respected.”
Read the report here: Life and Dignity at risk: Liberia’s water, sanitation and hygiene sector (opens in a new window).