Dr Ouk Rabun, Minister of Rural Development, presided over the official recognition of Kep Province as an open defecation free province on August 15, which is the sixth out of 25 provincial capitals officially recognised to end open defecation (ODF), that is, to have toilets in every house by 2023.

The ceremony was held at Kep Provincial Hall and with the participation of Som Piseth, Governor of Kep Province and with the participation of representatives of Water Aet, including relevant professional officials and representatives of many organizations, including government officials and students also participated.

Rabun stated that Kep is the sixth province to be recognized as a province that has completed open defecation (ODF) in line with the Royal Government’s National Strategic Plan and National Action Plan and the Provincial Action Plan to Achieve the Sustainable National Development Goal: “By 2025, all people in rural communities will have access to clean water supply services and living in a hygienic and sustainable environment.”

He added that in the Strategic Plan for Rural Development 2019-2023 of the Ministry of Rural Development, five provinces are planned to be promoted as ODF, including: Svay Rieng, Kampong Speu, Prey Veng, Kampong Chhnang, and now Kep province. Another province, Prey Veng, has volunteered and organized itself, has already completed the open defecation free status.

Rabun also sincerely praised and appreciated the efforts of the national team, provincial leaders, Provincial Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Technical Working Group (PWG), civil servants of the Kep Rural Development, In particular, Som Piseth, the provincial governor, who worked hard and paid attention to the implementation of a clear plan with the monitoring and cooperation of all stakeholders, the province can be successful like this.

Piseth said that the celebration of Kep province as the province to end open defecation (ODF), rural water supply, health, and sanitation in Kep province has achieved some notable achievements in the past: 1. Rural water supply work achieved: A total of 735 pump wells, a total of 786 drainage wells, 150 community ponds, 1,002 giant ponds, 2 small community water distribution systems, and 2 private water distribution systems. Fresh News