A/HRC/42/47/Add.5 and improving Botswana’s water and sanitation services. He further recalls the importance of the Government securing the budget necessary for the implementation of the National Development Plan, including through international cooperation. It is, however, of concern that no reference is made in the national budget to projects intended to improve sanitation in Botswana which, putatively, is in direct contradiction to the State’s obligation to utilise the maximum of its available resources in ensuring the rights to both water and sanitation. The obligation to utilise the maximum of available resources requires that maximal budgetary allocations are made for the achievement of all economic, social and cultural human rights. It is therefore vital that Botswana ensure sufficient funding is provided for sanitation projects, as well as those for water. LIMITED PROGRESS: The Special Rapporteur calls on the Government to ensure that sanitation is properly budgeted for and that acceptable levels of resources are made available to ensure the enjoyment of the human right to sanitation. The Special Rapporteur further reiterates his recommendation that water and sanitation projects should prioritize people living in remote areas and new settlements to ensure equality in access to water and sanitation. B. Recommendation on water availability RECOMMENDATION 5: “Adopt special measures to protect the poor and people living in vulnerable situations from the impacts of water rationing both in normal circumstances and during emergency situations.” (A/HRC/33/49/Add.3, para. 72(d)) 26. In ensuring water availability, States should provide a continuous supply of water that is sufficient for the personal and domestic needs of each person. These needs include water for drinking, preparing food, ensuring hygiene, and for personal sanitation. 10 At the time of the visit, Botswana was experiencing a severe drought and a large proportion of the population was suffering from water shortages, with many being subjected to strict water rationing. It was noted that this rationing was having a particularly negative impact to those in vulnerable situations (A/HRC/33/49/Add.3, paras. 25 and 70). 27. In response to the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation regarding the effects of water rationing, the Government has noted that it will only implement measures such as rationing in the event that the country experiences droughts, and not in normal circumstances. Accordingly, water rationing was last introduced in the years between 2014-2016, when there was a significant drought. The Government noted that whilst the WUC does not place limitations on its water rationing policies, so as to ensure that people in vulnerable situations are not affected, interim measures exist, such as water bowsing, which can be used to distribute water to those with the greatest need. 28. In addition to these interim measures, the Government has noted it has embarked on a four-year project, known as the Botswana Emergency Water Security and Efficiency Project, in conjunction with the World Bank, designed to increase water security in the country in the face of drought. 29. Whilst the creation of a dedicated policy for increasing water security, constructed in conjunction with international donors and experts, should be applauded, it is disappointing to note that progress towards achieving the project’s objectives has been lacklustre. As of its latest project review on 7 September 2018, the World Bank reported no advancement had been made in relation to the improvement of availability of water in areas vulnerable to drought, the improvement of waste water and sludge management, or on sector reform and institutional strengthening, and the overall implementation of the project was regarded as ‘moderately unsatisfactory.’11 10 11 General Comment 15, at para. 12(a). World Bank, “Emergency Water Security and Efficiency Project (P160911): Implementation Status & Results Report”, 7 September 2018, consulted 1 November 2018 http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/931991536287740795/pdf/Disclosable-Version-of-theISR-Emergency-Water-Security-and-Efficiency-Project-P160911-Sequence-No-04.pdf. 7