Zambia NGO WASH Forum Flags Decline in Sector Performance for 2024
The Zambia NGO WASH Forum has expressed deep concern over the declining performance of the country’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, as revealed in the 2024 Annual Progress Report of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
Appearing before the Planning and Budgeting Parliamentary Committee, the Forum, represented by Eddie Chikuta, noted that only 58% of planned WASH outputs were achieved in 2024, a sharp drop from 72% in 2023. The Forum cited a major budget shortfall as a key contributor; only 45% of the allocated WASH budget was disbursed in 2024, down from 60% the previous year.
Access to improved sanitation services stagnated, reaching just 43% of the population in 2024, compared to 41% in 2023. The Forum also reported a 30% drop in water infrastructure projects funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with only 25 new boreholes drilled, compared to 60 in the previous year.
“This decline is largely due to local authorities prioritizing the purchase of road construction equipment over essential WASH investments,” Chikuta said, noting that only 18% of CDF projects in 2024 were WASH-related, down from 35% in 2023.
While institutional WASH coverage showed modest gains with 62% of schools and 55% of health facilities now having basic WASH services, the Forum warned of significant gaps in climate and epidemic preparedness, with only 40% of districts having relevant response plans.
The Forum also revealed that only 22% of target communities reported active natural resource management (NRM) WASH initiatives, and just 15% of water user associations received technical support.
In response, the Forum urged Parliament to increase WASH budget allocations, ensure timely disbursements, prioritize WASH under the CDF, and enhance monitoring and evaluation for long-term sustainability.
Committee Chairperson Fred Chaatila commended the Zambia NGO WASH Forum for its vital role in bridging gaps in the sector and advocating for community needs.
