WINDHOEK, Sept 21 (NNN-NAMPA) – Namibia is set to join a global partnership — Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) — to improve the country’s sanitation situation.
Joining SWA will enable Namibia to learn from other countries to adopt, monitor and evaluate water sanitation and hygiene, said Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Engelbrecht Nawatiseb.
“This is a global partnership that was formed in 2010, between over 200 governments and various stakeholders that are aimed at influencing leaders of various governments, towards ensuring actions for sanitarian water and hygiene,” Nawatiseb said.
He added that, this will complement the country’s developmental agenda with sustainable development in sanitation services.
According to a 2015 research report on open defecation status in Namibia, by the Agriculture Ministry, only a third of the country’s 2.2 million people have access to improved sanitation facilities.
The United Nations Children’s Fund listed Namibia among the countries with the lowest sanitation coverage in eastern and southern Africa.
Poor sanitation has caused disease breakouts, such as, hepatitis E that Namibia is currently battling.– NNN-NAMPA
