Maria David
MINISTER of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, said that they are lagging behind when it comes to sanitation targets.
However, Schlettwein noted that efforts geared towards improved sanitation provision, notably the revision of the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy, with a long-term vision of “Improved health, dignity, and quality of life for all Namibians through improvements in sanitation and hygiene,” are currently being implemented.
He made these remarks while delivering his keynote address on Wednesday at Ongwediva during the launch of the 1st Namibian Regional Water Symposium (NRWS) in the North Central Regions.
In October 2022, he said the Cabinet approved the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy 2022-2027.
“The Strategy has the goal of reaching 67% of the Namibian population by 2027 with basic sustainable access to basic sanitation and increasing the practice of safe hygiene behaviours from the current level of 46%,” he said.
He added that the MAWLR has made progress on several fronts on sanitation, with financial support from the Namibia Water Sector Support Program.
In June 2023, the MAWLR initiated data collection in selected Constituencies in Hardap, Omaheke, Kavango West, Kavango East, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati, and Khomas Regions to establish a baseline for solving sanitation challenges.
Schlettwein said the ministry will continue to collect further data in Zambezi, Kavango East, Otjozondjupa, Ohangwena, Kavango West, and Oshikoto Regions.
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