AKP Phnom Penh, April 01, 2025 --

Banteay Meanchey has been declared open defecation free (ODF), making it the 18th province to reach the milestone.

An official ceremony to announce the ODF status was held in the provincial city on April 1 under the presidency of Minister of Rural Development H.E. Chhay Rithisen and Banteay Meanchey Provincial Governor H.E. Oum Reatrey.

According to H.E. Oum Reatry, 170,299 households in Banteay Meanchey province are now using toilets, and 163,049 (95.74 percent) of them are using private toilets, while the rest are using shared latrines.

H.E. Chhay Rithisen appreciated the province's remarkable improvement in terms of its access to sanitation as well as clean water.

Other capital and provinces that have achieved ODF status are Phnom Penh, Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Kandal, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Kep, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Cham, Rattanakiri, Siem Reap, Thbong Khmum, Takeo, Stung Treng, Kampong Thom, Battambang, and Pailin.

Cambodia has 87.4 percent coverage of clean water access and 92.4 percent basic sanitation access, and the country targets 100 percent water and sanitation coverage across the country by 2030.

By Phal Sophanith