The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Borno State Government to ensure the state is open defecation-free.
The UNICEF Manager of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Mamita Bora, who disclosed this on Monday in Maiduguri said UNICEF is partnering with the state government to launch the Open Defecation Free roadmap, as part of activities to mark this year’s World Toilet Day scheduled for November 19, 2024.
She said the ODF roadmap became necessary as about half of the state’s population lacks access to basic toilet facilities.
“53 per cent of people in Borno state use a basic latrine; the nearly half of the population without access to a basic toilet facility leave nearly everyone in the state at risk of unsafely disposed excreta, cholera and other water-borne diseases.”
According to her, the Borno state government has taken concrete steps to address open defecation through policy decisions and action, while stating that UNICEF will continue to collaborate with the government to ensure that the state becomes open defecation-free.
“Borno state government has taken concrete steps to address open defecation. I am happy to announce that the state has made remarkable progress by getting the first two local governments Open Defecation Free. This momentum needs to be sustained with efforts under the ODF campaign to make all LGAs in the state Open Defecation Free.
“UNICEF will continue to collaborate with the state government to implement the ODF roadmap, especially as it will contribute to achieving a shared cleared vision of improving health, nutrition and education outcomes and contribute to economic development for children”, she added.
Bora further said that UNICEF is confident that when the ODF plan is achieved, it will strengthen the resilience of communities and serve the needs of women and children.
“Open dedication does not only harm physical health, it decimates productivity, impedes school attendance and affects overall quality of life. It is remarkable that the state is launching a roadmap to end open defecation tomorrow to mark World Toilet Day, and has constituted the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on WASH”, she stated.
