In a ceremony held on October 2 in Gapé-Kpodzi, 44 family latrines were officially handed over to beneficiaries in four villages in Togo's Zio 4 commune. The latrines were built in the cantons of Gapé-Kpodzi and Gapé-Centre, with the support of the Association Dzidzo. The project aims to improve access to adequate sanitation facilities, promote hygiene and reduce the risks of diseases related to open defecation.
The latrines were built in four villages: Gapé-Kpodzi, Agokopé and Agokopé Kpédomé in Gapé-Kpodzi, and Aloyi in Gapé-Centre. The project is part of the third phase of the "Ending Open Defecation" initiative by the Association Dzidzo, using the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach. The project was implemented with the technical assistance of the Zio prefectural health department.
The objective of the project is to improve access to adequate sanitation facilities, promote hygiene and reduce the risks of diseases related to open defecation. The project also aims to preserve the environment, improve living conditions and well-being of the populations. The Association Dzidzo provided cement to the beneficiaries and sought technical expertise from the Zio prefectural department.
The latrines are ventilated with double removable slabs, which serve to produce organic fertilizer for crops. The representative of the Zio prefectural health director, Batchassido Essohana Karbou, highlighted the dangers of open defecation, including the spread of diarrheal diseases, water and food contamination, and the transmission of intestinal parasites.
Batchassido Essohana Karbou also reminded the beneficiaries of the importance of proper maintenance and management of the latrines. The secretary general of the Association Dzidzo, Batao Kossi Mawunya, emphasized that the construction of the latrines is an important step in improving hygiene and health conditions for the populations.
Mawunya invited the beneficiaries to make effective use of the latrines, maintain them and raise awareness among their communities on the dangers of open defecation. The representative of the Zio 4 commune mayor, Amouzou Kofi, encouraged the communities to take collective responsibility for ending open defecation.
The beneficiaries from the four villages expressed their gratitude to the Association Dzidzo for the successful completion of the project. They also testified to the importance of having family latrines, which will improve their living conditions and health.
Key points
- The project aims to improve access to adequate sanitation facilities and reduce the risks of diseases related to open defecation.
- The latrines were built using the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach.
- The project was implemented with the technical assistance of the Zio prefectural health department.
