"Our studies have shown that 48 percent of Zimbabweans in the rural areas use bush toilets or defecate in the bush, the reason being that most people in rural areas do not realise the importance.to have and use toilets," Water Resources Minister, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo told journalists recently.
Nkomo made the statements after touring Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in Bulilima and Mangwe districts in Plumtree on Thursday.
The WASH project is funded by the by United Kingdom's Department for International and Development and managed by the United Nations Children Fund.
Nkomo said most children in rural areas die before the age of five due to pneumonia and diarrhoea-related diseases as a result of poor sanitation.
Nkomo said: "Most child deaths are related to the lack of access to sanitation and safe water as well as poor hygiene practices. We need this project (WASH) to help villagers realise the need to have toilets to protect themselves from diseases."
According to UNICEF, 4000 children die annually in the country due to diarrhoea as a result of poor sanitation.
Post published in: News