Nation Striving to Achieve Water, Sanitation Access for all by 2030

Addis Ababa March 22/2021 (ENA) Ethiopia is striving to achieve accessibility of safely managed drinking water and sanitation to all by 2030, according to Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy.

Water, Irrigation and Energy State Minister, Negash Wagesho said the ministry is striving to achieve access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all citizens.

However, government's continued commitment, increased private sector engagement and partners' intervention needed to achieve the target, he underscored at an event held today to mark World’s Water Day.  

 “We can achieve the 2030 targets especially if the commitments of the government, private sector, and partners enhanced and work in an integrated manner,” Negash pointed out.

The ministry has revised water policy, strategy and prepared plans, implementing projects and programs in collaboration with partners, to ensure the Sustainable Development Goals of safe drinking water and sanitation target by 2030.

The National Wash Program, Climate Resilient Wash, Integrated Urban Sanitation and the plan to make all households use toilet in the next five years are among the programs and projects underway to help achieve the targets, he pointed out.

According to him, the first 5-year National Wash Program was successful and started second phase.

The Integrated Urban Sanitation program has also reached 23 cities across Ethiopia, it was indicated.

Noting that the country encourages involvement of private sector, the state minister said the Ministry of Finance is assessing the tax levied on private entities engaged in products and services related to drinking water and sanitation.

 “Government’s commitment towards drinking water and sanitation has increased. The budget allocated for drinking water and sanitation has substantially increased this year,” he stated.

UNICEF Country Representative, Adele Khodr said 8 to 10 million children in Ethiopia do not have access to safe drinking water and are vulnerable.

According to him, Ethiopia has shown remarkable progress in basic water resource supply to the people and more efforts need to be exerted to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation to achieve the SDGs.

Water supply in Ethiopia’s schools and health facilities is still at 30 and 21 percent respectively and that requires efforts and partners’ intervention, he pointed out.

“The COVID-19 reminded us importance of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, and the demand for water is increasing along the population growth,” he added.

The country has shown progress in access to drinking water and sanitation, increasing availability of access to water resources from 24 to 41 percent in 2017, tough work remains ahead to ensure the accessibility, especially in rural areas.    

Achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030 are targets of the SDGs.