DR Congo: Raising Awareness About The Importance Of hygiene And Sanitation In Nyanga And Kitangua On The World Toilet Day
By Jean Baptiste Mirindi, SBCC Coordinator
On 19 November 2024, World Vision marked World Toilet Day in partnership with the Nyanga and Kitangua health zones in Kasai province. This event was part of the GAINS-TUYA KUMPALA project, funded by USAID. More than 150 participants from various social backgrounds came together to highlight the vital importance of clean, functional sanitation facilities.
The day was an opportunity to remind everyone of the direct impact of sanitation and hygiene on public health. Several workshops and awareness-raising sessions were organised to inform participants about essential hygiene practices and the benefits of an adequate sanitation infrastructure.
Gabriel Mukoloka, Director of the GAINS-TUYA KUMPALA programme, encouraged members of local communities to take initiatives to improve their sanitary conditions:
‘On this World Toilet Day, we encourage each community to take initiatives to improve its sanitary facilities according to the means available. To each his means, to each his latrine. Together, we can create sustainable solutions tailored to our local needs, guaranteeing dignity and health for all.’
The speakers stressed the importance of keeping toilets clean and well-maintained to prevent disease and preserve human dignity. They also highlighted World Vision's and its partners' ongoing efforts to improve sanitation facilities in communities.
Jean, the Kitangua health zone supervisor, said:
‘Together, we can make a difference in our villages, ensuring that everyone has access to safe and hygienic toilets, thereby protecting the health of our children and families.’
The GAINS-TUYA KUMPALA programme, supported by USAID/BHA, is a resilient food security project that will be implemented from 2023 to 2028 in Kasai province. It aims to reduce food, nutritional, and economic insecurity by improving livelihoods, diversifying nutritious foods, and promoting hygiene practices linked to latrines and water points. This day reinforced efforts to raise awareness of the importance of a healthier and safer environment. It underlined the need to pursue local initiatives to ensure a better future for all.