Experts at an event Monday called for proper selection  of projects in the annual development plan (ADP) and the need for reducing inequalities in allocations for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects between urban and rural or hard-to-reach areas.

They made the call in a pre-budget press conference hosted by WaterAid Bangladesh, Power and Participation Research Center (PPRC), FANSA-BD, FSM Network, Bangladesh Water Integrity Network, Sanitation and Water For All, End Water Poverty, MHM Platform, UNICEF and WASH Alliance International.

An analysis by PPRC, in collaboration with WaterAid, found that allocation to the WASH sector was 5.44 percent (Tk14,517 crore) of total ADP (Tk266,793 crore) in the fiscal year (FY) 2021-22.

The figure also shows WASH allocations in hard-to-reach areas fell drastically in FY22, with allocations for the areas being 72 percent below the level five years earlier in FY17.

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The analysis also shows geographical inequality of WASH allocations remains significant, where cities and towns have received the highest percentage of the allocations compared to rural, char, hilly, and coastal areas in previous years.

These under-developed areas' needs are higher than those in urban regions, and the upcoming budget must consider the acute needs of the marginalised pockets.

"Bangladesh had remarkable success in achieving WASH-related MDG era targets with drinking water made available to 98 percent of the population and near eradication of open defecation. SDG era targets are more challenging with the focus on safe water and safely managed sanitation as well as under hygiene," Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, chairman of PPRC, said.

"Although the inequitable spatial allocation has been repeatedly raised over the years, no change has been forthcoming."