Climate resilience refers to a community's ability to anticipate, adapt to, and recover from climate change impacts, particularly in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
Climate resilience refers to a community's ability to anticipate, adapt to, and recover from climate change impacts, particularly in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
Climate-resilient WASH systems need to remain functional during severe weather and can recover quickly from disruptions. Developing these systems requires assessing climate-related risks and vulnerabilities to improve the durability of services. The 2022 floods in Pakistan highlighted the necessity for reliable WASH services, as millions lost access to safe drinking water, increasing health risks even when access was already limited.
A lack of funding also poses significant challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims for universal access to water and sanitation by 2030. This financial gap disproportionately affects marginalized groups, exacerbating inequalities and human rights issues. Addressing WASH financing is essential for improving global health, equity, and sustainable development, ensuring everyone's access to water and sanitation amidst climate challenges.
WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services in Pakistan face severe limitations due to chronic underfunding, particularly in rural and low-income urban areas, leaving millions without access to clean water and sanitation. Fragmented financial systems, inconsistent monitoring and a lack of a unified national policy exacerbate the challenges, while insufficient transparency and accountability deter sustainable investments.
WASH financing in Pakistan relies on government allocations, international aid, and NGO and private sector contributions, which support essential infrastructure like pipelines, sewage systems, and treatment plants, alongside hygiene education initiatives. FY2021–22 saw a government allocation of Rs22.5 billion, increased by Rs37.5 billion from international donors, driven by programmes like Clean Green Pakistan.
By FY2023, this allocation surged to Rs265 billion to address urbanization and environmental challenges. However, despite these increases, achieving SDG 6 by 2030 remains daunting, requiring significantly greater investments to ensure universal access to safe water and sanitation.
The transition toward climate-resilient and inclusive WASH systems is critical in addressing Pakistan’s increasing vulnerability to climate change. However, financial constraints pose substantial barriers. Public-sector funding for WASH remains limited, and the absence of dedicated budget lines in development programs further restricts resource allocation. Over-reliance on donor funding, often focused on short-term outcomes, limits the sustainability of WASH initiatives.
Private-sector engagement is hindered by a lack of financial incentives and insufficient public-private partnerships, while inefficient financial management and fragmented planning undermine effective resource utilization. These challenges are exacerbated by climate change impacts, such as unpredictable rainfall, extreme weather events, and deteriorating water quality, all of which contribute to increased waterborne diseases and strain on existing infrastructure.
The WASH sector's chronic underfunding is compounded by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and the escalating impacts of climate change. In Pakistan’s urban areas, over 35 million people lack access to safely managed drinking water, a number that is expected to surge as urban populations grow to 180 million by 2050. Climate disasters, such as the catastrophic floods of 2022, have further crippled fragile WASH infrastructure, leaving millions vulnerable to waterborne diseases due to prolonged exposure to contaminated water. In rural and flood-affected areas, inadequate water and sanitation facilities exacerbate malnutrition and stunting, particularly among children.
By integrating inclusive policies and prioritising vulnerable populations, Pakistan can advance its progress towards achieving universal access to safe water and sanitation. These efforts will not only safeguard public health but also enhance the resilience of communities
With only 65.2 per cent of urban households in Pakistan accessing piped water, substantial investments in infrastructure, innovative solutions, and improved governance are urgently needed to meet rising demands and mitigate the socio-economic and environmental risks posed by population pressures and climate challenges.
The consequences of inadequate WASH financing extend beyond infrastructure gaps. Disasters such as floods and droughts disrupt water supply systems and sanitation facilities, leading to contaminated water sources and a breakdown in hygiene practices. These disruptions disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including women and children, often resulting in heightened public health crises. Prolonged recovery periods hinder community resilience and delay the rebuilding of essential services.
Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that prioritises sustainable financing mechanisms, strengthens institutional capacity, and promotes equitable access to WASH services. Collaborative efforts involving governments, international organisations, private-sector stakeholders, and local communities are essential for addressing immediate needs and long-term challenges.
Addressing the financing gap in the WASH sector requires a unified approach involving governments, international organisations and the private sector. Investments must extend beyond mere infrastructure development to include maintenance, capacity-building, and sustainability measures that ensure long-term functionality.
Alarmingly, private-sector financing in WASH remains negligible, with only 1.9 per cent of $81 billion in private development funding between 2014 and 2017 allocated to water-related initiatives. Mobilising resources for WASH is not only a financial necessity but a moral obligation to bridge inequities and provide essential services to underserved populations. Pakistan must adopt a sustainable financing mechanism, integrating transparent and data-driven budgeting into the annual plans of federal ministries and provincial departments. Establishing a National WASH Account would enable centralized monitoring of financial flows, enhance transparency, and help identify funding gaps effectively.
A National Steering Committee, comprising representatives from key ministries and departments, should oversee this initiative, supported by a Technical Working Group for technical guidance. To integrate WASH into Pakistan’s broader development agenda, it must be prioritised in Public Sector Development Programs (PSDPs) and Annual Development Plans, with dedicated budgets for infrastructure and services.
Early inclusion of WASH projects in sectoral planning will ensure a sustained focus on improving access amid competing priorities. Increased budget allocations for climate resilience, particularly in vulnerable regions, are critical. Strengthening national capacities to engage with international climate finance mechanisms is essential for accessing global funds for WASH projects. Investments in climate-resilient WASH infrastructure and nature-based solutions can help mitigate the impacts of climate change while promoting sustainable development.
Enhancing financial accountability, adopting cost-recovery mechanisms, and encouraging private-sector participation are crucial for bridging the financing gap. By integrating inclusive policies and prioritising vulnerable populations, Pakistan can advance its progress toward achieving universal access to safe water and sanitation. These efforts will not only safeguard public health but also enhance the resilience of communities to the growing challenges posed by climate change.
The writers work at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad.
