Kandal (FN), Mar. 26 – Cambodian Minister of Rural Development Chhay Rithisen presided over a ceremony recognizing Kandal province as the 18th province to achieve Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF+) status.

The ceremony took place on 25 March 2025 at the riverside park in Takhmao City, with the presence of Provincial Council Chairman Nou Sakhon, Provincial Governor Kuoch Chamroeun, deputy governors, local authorities from all 13 cities and districts of Kandal, provincial departments, competent forces, civil servants, and local residents.

Governor Chamroeun highlighted the province’s progress in improving living standards through better access to clean water and sanitation. "We have witnessed significant improvements in our citizens' living standards, particularly through better access to clean water and sanitation services. This has transformed habits—from drinking unsafe water to choosing clean water for better health, and from defecating in the open to adopting proper sanitation practices and embracing a more civilized lifestyle,” he stated.

Chamroeun said that in 2024, Kandal province had a total of 270,300 houses with a total of 268,092 residents, of which 100% of houses used toilets, including 264,558 households using their own toilets, equivalent to 98.7%, and 3,534 households using shared toilets, equivalent to 1.3%.

On the occasion, the governor also outlined the Ministry of Rural Development’s five strategic priorities aimed at building a prosperous, innovative, digital, and resilient rural Cambodia. The ministry remains committed to achieving universal access to clean water and 100% sanitation coverage by 2030, contributing to a sustainable and healthy living environment for all citizens.
=FRESH NEWS