Kandal: Kandal province of Cambodia has achieved its open defecation free plus (ODF+) status with official recognition by the Ministry of Rural Development. Minister of Rural Development H.E. Chhay Rithisen presided over the recognition event in the province with the provincial leaders and around 1,600 representatives from relevant institutions and development partners, as well as teachers, students, and other guests in attendance.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Kuoch Chamroeun, Governor of Kandal province, stated that out of the 268,092 owner-occupied homes in the province, 98.7 percent possess individual improved latrines, while the remaining 1.3 percent have access to shared improved latrines.

H.E. Chhay Rithisen commended the achievements by Kandal province, particularly in promoting household sanitation, and urged the province to sustain the ODF+ status. ODF+ is awarded for a location that meets at least two conditions: no open defecation or urination and all residents have access to functional and well-maintained latrines.

Kandal province was declared an ODF province in December 2022 and is second among the 25 capital and provinces of Cambodia achieving ODF+, after Phnom Penh capital, which is the first. The record from the Ministry of Rural Development indicates that 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.