WaterAid has supported community volunteers with 200 bicycles worth K100 million to promote water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) services in Ntchisi District.
With funding from Wimbledon Foundation and Amani Aqua, the organisation is supporting 13 health facilities and communities in the district access Wash services.
Speaking on Wednesday during the commemoration of the World Toilet Day at Khuwi in the district, WaterAid country director Peter Phiri said there was need to champion improved hygiene behaviours in communities besides having different technological options for toilets.
He said the organisation will intensify efforts to promote improved hygiene in the district.
“We expect to see improvement in hygiene behaviour change uptake and that’s a key indicator that we will be monitoring,” said Phiri.
He thanked the World Bicycle Relief for supporting volunteers with the bicycles to ease mobility challenges when promoting sanitation and hygiene in the district.
In his remarks, Ministry of Health and Sanitation deputy director of sanitation Mathews Kalaya said only 46 percent of Malawians have safe toilets.
He said: “When the majority of the population does not have toilets, it means we are contaminating the water sources and exposing the population to water and sanitation related diseases.
“As we approach the rainy season, it is important that communities be aware that this is the time we experience diseases related to poor sanitation. Therefore, we have to construct toilets.”
Kalaya said he was impressed that there were some organisations that are complementing government’s efforts by supporting initiatives aimed at promoting sanitation and hygiene.
This year’s World Toilet Day was commemorated under the theme ‘Sanitation in the changing world: We will always need the toilet
