81% of rural people in district defecate in open
The Ganjam district administration, UNICEF and the United Artists Association, a local NGO, have decided to work together to make 20 villages in Hinjilicut and Sheragad blocks open defecation-free through a community driven approach by December 31, 2014.
According to 2011 Census, 80.9 per cent of rural people in Ganjam district still practice open defecation.
Speaking at an inaugural meeting of block-level Sarpanch and Panchayat Executive Officers of Hinjilicut block, BDO Manoj Kumar Swain said, “Cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods brought out the importance of addressing the issue of open defecation in Ganjam district. Although we were able to control the spread of disease at that time, we need to find a more sustainable and long-term solution to the sanitation situation.”
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Officer of the UNICEF Odisha Sunetra lala said, “Open defecation is a critical public health issue in the State. Odisha has one of the highest infant mortality rates in India with diarrhoea being a significant contributing factor. The access and use of toilets together with hygiene practices such as hand washing are important in order to reduce child deaths in the State.”
While UNICEF will provide technical and capacity development support, the NGO will assist in the implementation of the sanitation activities in the selected villages.