![Aerial view of Aweil town, capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Aweil-1.jpg?resize=1600%2C902&ssl=1)
The initiative, which began Friday, saw the distribution of free pit latrine covers to over 700 households identified by the municipal council as lacking proper sanitation facilities.
“We are starting with households in Aweil that are lacking latrines but have dug recently with no covers or slaps or dubbed,” explained Mr. Dut Deng Gabriel, Director General in the Ministry of Water Resources.
He emphasized that this is part of a larger effort to support better hygiene and sanitation across the state and ultimately make every village open-defecation free.
“We are aiming at making every village to be open-defecation free in order to influence better hygiene and sanitation,” Gabriel stated.
The latrine covers, generously donated by UNICEF, were distributed in partnership with stakeholders like CEDS to ensure efficient and equitable access.
One beneficiary, Adut Garang, praised the initiative but urged for transparency and fairness in the distribution process.
“I would like them to go to the real houses whose names are on the registrar,” Garang said. “Some people may take advantage of this and sell the covers.”
She further highlighted the importance of utilizing proper sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of diseases like cholera and diarrhea.
“We should stop going to the nearby bush or unoccupied estates to defecate,” Garang emphasized. “This is contributing to the spread of diseases.”
The distribution of these free latrine covers marks a significant step forward in improving hygiene and sanitation standards in Aweil.
By ensuring equitable access and promoting awareness of the importance of proper sanitation practices, this initiative has the potential to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of the community.
