PHNOM PENH: Kampong Cham has been declared open defecation free (ODF), bringing the number of provinces that have achieved the status to eight as of Thursday (July 25).
The other seven provinces that have achieved ODF status include Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Kandal, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Kep and Preah Sihanouk, according to Minister of Rural Development Chhay Rithisen.
The announcement was made on the occasion of declaring the province ODF, with more than 2,000 participants attending.
“According to the 2024 plan, other provinces will be awarded ODF status, bringing the number of ODF provinces to a total of 13 out of 25 capital-provinces nationwide,” he said.
The provinces expected to be declared ODF by the end of 2024 are Tbong Khmum, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap and Ratanakkiri.
Provincial governor Un Chanda said at the event that 100 per cent of households now have toilets, with 92.61 per cent private and 7.39 per cent shared.
“The end of open defecation is a great pride for the Kampong Cham provincial administration as well as the people of Kampong Cham province as a whole,” he said.
This achievement is due to the joint commitment of the administration and relevant officials in their efforts, in line with the goals set by the ministry’s plan, he added.
According to Chanda, the water supply and sanitation sector in the province has also increased steadily due to the improvement of people's lives.
As of now, there are 61 plumbing networks, with a total of 95.25 per cent of the population using these services.
Plan International Cambodia (PIC) congratulated the province for being the eighth to be officially recognised as ODF.
It pointed to it as a significant achievement under the leadership of the ministry, in collaboration with the provincial administration, and with support from PIC and other development partners (DPs).
The recognition is a remarkable step forward and aligned with the ministry’s strategies to eradicate open defecation nationwide by 2030, it stated in a social media post.
The minister said on the occasion that the achievements in all areas of the province improve people’s living standards, especially through the supply of clean water and sanitation services.
These improvements have changed people's attitudes from drinking unsafe water to drinking clean water that promotes health, and from open defecation to using toilets and living a “civilised” life, he added.
Rithisen said the ministry is currently implementing a national action plan on water supply and sanitation.
So far, the nationwide coverage rate has reached about 81 per cent, and by 2030, it is expected to reach 100 per cent, he added.
From 2023 to the present, the ministry has provided more than 28,000 toilets for households, 73 shared toilets and over 2,400 hand-washing facilities. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
