Developing Countries Access to GSF

Question

Developing world has a challenge of limited funds to provide adequate water, hygiene and sanitaion infrastructure. Governments in the developing world have little budgetary capacity to tackle all the people's priorities. Most of the developing world has not yet attained the MDG resolution of appropriating upto 15% of GDP to Health including Public health. This calls for water, hygiene and sanitation education to alleviate WASH related and/or borne deaths. We may not down play the importance access roads plays in the WASH programmes.

Question: Since developing world like Uganda cannot do enough to provide adequate WASH facilities and/or services, is the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) accessible by individuals or companies that would have strategies to sensitise communities on WASH activities and contributing to the erection of infrastructure like labour based access roads and sanitary facilities that would make life worth living for the communities in the developing world?

David Trouba · Accepted Answer

GSF
Hi Charles,
Thanks for your question. All common questions about the Global Sanitation Fund are answered here: http://www.wsscc.org/global-sanitation-fund/faqs. I think answers 13, 15 and 17 are most relevant to your question.
You are certainly right that government's have little budgetary capacity for all the people's priorities. What we have seen through the GSF is that the $5 million made available through the GSF represents a substantial percentage increase in the participating countries' budget for sanitation and hygiene marketing, promotion and awareness building. It has also done a lot to improve sector collaboration and coordination within a country. (The progress report linked by The Water Network is just a simple August update. The February report had more detail on the entire GSF, including what activities are going on or planned in countries, including Uganda. You can find that fuller report here: http://www.wsscc.org/node/4422?rck=b6b2de39debc1a19e79db256b3b7be90). 
I hope this answer helps. Feel free to respond or to write directly to david.trouba@wsscc.org.
With regards,
Dave Trouba
Communications Officer
Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council

Taxonomy