PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodia has so far achieved a nationwide basic sanitation coverage rate of 95 percent, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Friday.
In a message marking the National Day for Promoting Rural Sanitation, Hun Manet credited collective efforts for driving major progress in rural sanitation. He noted that rural residents are now benefiting from improved coverage and living in cleaner, healthier environments.
"To date, the basic sanitation coverage rate nationwide has reached 95 percent, and all 25 cities and provinces have achieved Open Defecation Free status," he said.
Despite this progress, the sector still faces several challenges, he said, adding that these include ensuring access to safe sanitation for poor and vulnerable households in environmentally fragile areas, as well as managing the impacts of climate change.
He added that frequent floods and droughts continue to damage local water sources and sanitation infrastructure.
To address these issues, the prime minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing its rural water supply and sanitation action plan, with the goal of reaching 100 percent coverage by 2030, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Cambodia has a total population of approximately 17.3 million, with roughly 76 percent living in rural areas. -- Xinhua
