Thread by @BernieAryeetey

So we know the @FCDOGovUK has to make tough choices. But the 80% cut of water sanitation and hygiene aid makes no sense on a number of levels. 🧵

1️⃣ It’s madness in the midst of a pandemic to cut coverage of a proven public health measure for combatting COVID, and for Ebola that has re-emerged in West Africa as @sallyhayd reports irishtimes.com/news/world/afr…

2️⃣ The Govt is reducing its ability to achieve one of its stated ambitions of ending preventable deaths esp maternal and child deaths. If it were serious it would listen to @HelenClarkNZ & @Laura_Ch cnn.com/2021/03/06/opi…

3️⃣ Our international partners are already raising eyebrows and scratching their heads? Just ask Sweden’s new development minister @thinkper

https://twitter.com/thinkper/status/1387431978149023749

4️⃣ We are undermining our ability to address the spread of superbugs, identified as one of the nation’s big threats in #IntegratedReview. @DrTedros
covered this yesterday weak health systems lacking WASH means we can’t halt AMR
bit.ly/2S54aeD

5️⃣ Existential threat for the @G7 to deal with, says @MattHancock today. I’m not sure cutting aid for #WASH is the kind of bold, pragmatic step @UKAMREnvoy would advocate.

https://twitter.com/dhscgovuk/status/1388055528933363713

6️⃣ Nor does the cut help with making the case with the public about Global Britain playing it’s part in the world with #UKAid

https://twitter.com/devengagelab/status/1387409225597472769

Depriving the poorest people in the world of access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene and the wrong thing to do, and we need to put it right. But don’t just take my word for it.

https://twitter.com/justinwelby/status/1387728993563070470

So, here’s where you come in👇🏾

https://twitter.com/WaterAidUK/status/1387768142173179904