12 Brgys In Yolanda-Hit Towns Issued Zero Open Defecation Certificates

Twelve out of 15 barangays targeted in two typhoon Yolanda-affected towns are now declared as “zero open defecation” (ZOD) barangays.

In yesterday’s Kapihan sa PIA, Edgar Morbos of Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) Philippines said that 12 barangays of the 15 target in Bantayan and Daanbantayan towns have been declared as ZOD.

Morbos, who heads IRW Philippines’ Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, said there are three requirements prior to the issuance of the ZOD certification.

First, all households in the barangay should already be using toilets. It can be solely for the family or shared for as long as they no longer openly defecate in grasslands or open areas.

Second, Morbos said, is the availability of soap and water nearby.

“This means that these are available not beyond one minute walk from the toilet,” Morbos said.

And the third requirement is the proper disposal of adult and children’s diapers.

Since the start of the WASH program, Morbos said they had already distributed 1,152 low-cost toilets to these well-performing families in the barangays.

“But giving the toilets is traditional approach,. We go for behavioral change, that they should clean and wash their hands to be healthy and then use the toilets,” he said.

Part of the recommendation is the inclusion of water and sanitation in the Comprehensive Development Plan of the local government unit.

The other programs of IRW in the Yolanda-affected areas include shelter assistance, infrastructure rehabilitation, disaster risk reduction activities, cash for work and livelihood opportunities. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)