Heading to new heights

A dual celebration is taking place with 50 years of sustained partnership between the Government of Lao PDR and UNICEF, and the declaration of Vientiane Province as Open Defecation Free (ODF).In the early 1970s, clean water was accessible to only 290,000 people across 1,000 villages. The challenges of waterborne diseases like typhoid and dysentery were prevalent due to the lack of sanitation facilities. The ODF status of Vientiane Province shows the progress achieved in Lao PDR in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Open defecation has health risks, including the spread of diseases and impacting children's growth. Vientiane Province's achievement sets a standard for healthier living conditions. This accomplishment follows earlier successes in Borikhamxay and Vientiane Capital. Three more provinces are nearing ODF status, and this year, nearly 86% of villages nationally achieved this benchmark.