The United Nations children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supported State governments in North-East in the construction and rehabilitation of 7,728 toilets in IDP camps and communities in 3yrs.
This has increased the number of open defecation free Communities in the north-East, thereby improving the wellbeing and health of children.
The Officer-in-Charge , UNICEF Maiduguri field office,Dr Clement Adams revealed this in Maiduguri at a Media orientation programme in commemoration of 2021 world toilet day.
Clement Adams said “across the country, about 48 million Nigerians lack access to toilets and the protection they confer against diseases and possible deaths.”
“since 2018, UNICEF Nigeria has supported state governments in the North East with the construction of 4,752 toilets and rehabilitation of 2,976 toilets respectively across Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and host communities.
Dr. Adams maintained also that about 209 sites have been supported with hand pump boreholes, while 125,890 non-food items have been distributed to displaced and vulnerable families.
He added that UNICEF has further built capacities of state departments and LGAs to deliver safe and sustainable WASH services to communities and IDPs as well as supported Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to undertake rapid response to cholera outbreaks.
He called on States to adopt federal government Clean Nigeria Campaign towards achieving an environment that is open defecation free by 2025.
“Practical steps towards ending open defecation by constructing more toilets and water resources especially among the most vulnerable population whether in camps or host Communities needs to be pursued.
“Schools, markets and other public places must not be left out even as we promote behavioral change among the people”
“National and State budgets must reflects the importance of toilets and water sources to the health of children and workforce”.
On the theme of 2021 World toilet day, ‘Valuing toilets’ ,Dr Adams described it as apt noting that ending open defecation protect the dignity of women and girls and reduce the incidence of gender based violence.
