Another World Toilet Day has ended with the Liberian government reaffirming its commitment to ending open defecation in the country, where one study shows that about 42% of the Liberian population engage in this practice.
According to the Joint Monitoring Programme 2017 (JMP 2017), “All in all, less than 10 per cent of Liberians have access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services.”
The Minister of Public Works, Mobutu Nyenpan, who is also Board Chair of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) has said there is an urgent need to tackle open defecation to save lives.
Speaking in Monrovia on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at programs marking the observance of World Toilet Day, Mr Nyepan said the government has been working immensely to build conducive toilet facilities in all communities, according to an Oxfam Liberia press release.
In 2013, the United Nations adopted the day and passed a resolution recognising November 19 as an official UN international World Toilet Day.
Every year, the day is celebrated with a unique theme. This year, the theme for the day is “Leaving No One Behind” with a message that ‘a toilet is not just a toilet. It’s a life-saver, dignity-protector and opportunity-maker. Whoever you are, wherever you are, sanitation is your human right.’
According to the United Nations, today, around the globe, 4.2 billion people live without safely managed sanitation. With the target to give access to safe sanitation, leaving no one behind, this year World Toilet Day will be celebrated across the globe.
According to a study on the economic impact of poor sanitation in Africa back in 2012, poor sanitation is said to cost Liberia US$17.5 million each year. A desk study carried out by the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP), 1.2 million Liberians use unsanitary or unshared latrines.
This year’s World Toilet Day program was supported by Oxfam in Liberia, UNICEF, National Public Health Institute (NPHIL), WaterAid, Concern World Wide, Etc.
Mr. Johnathan Kaipay, the Liberian Senate Chair on WASH said its time that officials government develop political will to increase budgetary support to end open defecation.
The Pprogram Manager of Future Leader Toilet Solution, Liberian owned, Madam Vivian Mussah recommended the usage of biofiltration toilet system.
She said the institution is working with schools and government to tackle open defecation by using the system.
Mr. Mohammed Massaley, WASH program head, Oxfam in Liberia reaffirmed the organization committed to supporting the WASH commission in ending open defecation.
The head of the National WASH Commission, Mr. Bobby Whitfield announced a campaign to end open defecation is on the way.
He stressed for more budgetary and donor support to the sector.
Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations guarantees the rights of everyone to clean water and sanitation:
” (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”