Three communities on Rannogah Island, Solomon Islands, celebrated the achievement of No Open Defecation (NOD) status last month.
“No open defecation” refers to the practice of ensuring that all people use proper sanitation facilities, such as toilets, rather than defecating in open spaces like fields, forests or bodies of water. This practice is crucial for maintaining public health, dignity and environmental cleanliness.
Open defecation can lead to the contamination of water sources and the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and dysentery. Efforts to eliminate open defecation are part of global health initiatives and are included in the World Health Organisation’s Sustainable Development Goals to ensure access to adequate and equitable sanitation for all.
Implemented by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the NOD program encourages people in the communities to build proper toilets in their houses so they can stop using bushes and the seashore for toileting.
The NOD celebrations mark a significant and historic event for Rannogah Island, commemorating the achievement of these communities in improving sanitation.
The celebration saw the attendance of Western Provincial government members, ADRA staff and Western Tourism Office staff along with local chiefs, community and church leaders, project beneficiaries and a popular local musician who provided the entertainment.
Minister of Health for the Western Provincial Government, Kenneth George, praised all those involved.
“This a historic event for our province and our current executive were very happy indeed to have this program implemented here in our province,” Mr George said.
“As Minister of Health for WPG, I would like to acknowledge ADRA, UNICEF and donors through support of our WPG health department for making this event successful. On behalf of our Provincial Government, I would like to thank UNICEF and ADRA who successfully implement this sanitation program for our people in Western Province.”
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) coordinator for Western Province, Alfred Junior Rauka, officially declared the communities of Pidaka, Nyami and Tirobuni as achieving NOD status.
ADRA Solomon Islands director Leyn Gantare commended the three communities’ achievements.
“I would like to thank these communities who were declared NOD for the effort and dedication rendered towards achieving this NOD celebration,” Mr Gantare said.
“On behalf of ADRA Solomon Islands, I acknowledge these communities and wish you all the best as your community was now declared as NOD.”
More communities in these islands will be declared NOD in the coming weeks.
