In this presentation, WaterAid shared their response to COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific, specifically in the eight countries they work in: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. Given the changing dynamics of the pandemic, WaterAid has taken a context-specific and phased approach to support government-led action plans, depending on rate of transmission and lockdowns, and prioritizing the most marginalized groups.

The water and sanitation sector globally depends on Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) definitions to measure progress. Millenium Development Goals are likewise considering these definitions. Empirical evidence suggests, however, that progress measured using JMP definitions only provide a partial picture which do not necessarily describe progress with quality and with equity.