34m Nigerians Defecate In The Open

Nigeria ranks fifth among countries whose citizens defecate in the open; with 34 million of the population involved in the practice, according to the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF).

Consequently, 500,000 Nigerian children die every year from diarrhoea and respiratory infections alone. While diarrhoea is responsible for 194,000 deaths, respiratory infections kill about 240,000.

In a statement signed by Geoffrey Njoku, spokesperson for UNICEF in Nigeria, the organisation, as part of events to mark World Toilet Day 2012, blamed open defecation for some of the terrible diseases threatening children and called for more efforts to provide toilets for people everywhere.

“The trends in the past five years allow for cautious optimism that significant progress will be made in decreasing the number of people globally who practice open defecation,” stated Njoku. “A lack of toilet remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children. In Nigeria, it is estimated that diarrhoea kills about 194,000 children under five every year; and in addition, respiratory infections kill another 240,000. These are largely preventable with improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene.”

UNICEF said it is supporting 50 countries, including Nigeria, to implement Community Approaches to Total Sanitation (CATS) such as community led total sanitation aimed at empowering communities to identify their sanitation challenges and take necessary actions to end open defecation.

“According to a joint UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) report of 2012, it is estimated that 34 million Nigerians practice open defecation and Nigeria is amongst top 5 countries in the world with largest number of people defecating in the open,” stated Njoku. “Community led total sanitation aims to make all communities free of open defecation by focusing on social and behaviour change and the use of affordable, appropriate technologies. The emphasis is on the sustainable use of sanitation facilities rather than the construction of infrastructure, and the approach depends on the engagement of members of the community ranging from individuals, to schools, to traditional leaders. Communities use their own capacities to attain their objectives and take a central role in planning and implementing improved sanitation.”

In Nigeria, UNICEF said it partners with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as donors such as European Union and UK Aid in supporting implementation of community led total sanitation in 30 states, and over 2 million people living in more than 3,000 open defecation free communities are estimated to be using toilets as a result. With continuous support from governments and other partners in scaling up this approach, it says more Nigerians will live in open defecation free communities.

“Community led total sanitation is a simple and an effective way of improving access to sanitation while also paving the way for their improved health,” said Ibrahim Fall, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria. “The approach has been found to be appropriate and the best way to ensure improved and sustained access to sanitation is to empower communities to provide toilets for themselves.”