Devex: Opinion: Why water and sanitation systems are vital for our economies
Catarina de Albuquerque, CEO of Sanitation and Water for All

“…Since the early days of the industrial revolution, we have known the transformative economic and social benefits of access to WASH, and the horrific consequences of inaction. If finance ministers fail to help prioritize water and sanitation, the consequences could affect societies for generations. Financial decision-makers must create an enabling environment by investing in institutions and people and mobilize new sources of finance such as taxes, tariffs, transfers, or repayable finance. … In the end, well-resourced, well-run WASH systems are catalysts for progress in every sector from gender, food, and education, to health, industry, and the environment. By nature of their work, finance ministers must use evidence to make smart decisions that will help their countries to flourish. In the case of WASH, the evidence is clear: Continuing to neglect these services will only continue to stunt the growth of our economies, populations, and societies” (11/2).