Pursat Province Achieves Milestone as 24th Province to Declare 100% Open Defecation Free Status

• Sommana Yan
• 1 September 2025
• Uncategorized
• 1245 Views

In a significant step for public health and sanitation, Pursat Province has officially become the 24th province in Cambodia to achieve 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Rural Development and relevant stakeholders, celebrating a remarkable commitment to improving living conditions in the province.

Deputy Governor of Pursat Province expressed pride in this achievement, noting that every household now has access to toilets, with 94% benefiting from private facilities and the remaining 6% utilizing shared toilets. This milestone underscores the successful collaboration between the provincial government and various development partners dedicated to enhancing public health and sanitation.

HE Chhay Rithsen, Minister of the Ministry of Rural Development, commended Pursat Province for its impressive progress across multiple sectors, particularly in elevating the living standards of its residents. “The achievement of ODF status reflects our collective efforts to provide clean water services and ensure the proper use of sanitation facilities, vital for the health and well-being of the community,” he stated.

The Ministry of Rural Development has outlined five key strategies aimed at transforming Cambodia’s rural areas into prosperous, environmentally friendly, and sustainable communities. Pursat’s success in achieving ODF status contributes to the broader goal of eradicating high-level desertification nationwide by 2030.

This achievement not only improves individual households’ health but also sets a precedent for other provinces in the quest for better sanitation and public health standards across Cambodia.

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