ODI Global
A latrine in a health centre in Bambui, north-west Cameroon
In many countries, sanitation remains an obstacle to healthier livelihoods. For example, in Cameroon’s rural areas the percentage of people with access to safe sanitation is very low – rates have remained the same since the 1990s. Only 27% of the rural population is reported to have access to improved facilities.
The situation is so critical that diarrhoea is the main cause of death among children under five. Sadly, such human cost comes as no surprise, as the state has failed to implement policies and plans to address the crisis. Lack of political will is one of the greatest obstacles to solving the sanitation crisis – poor access is ultimately due to poor governance rather than poor infrastructure or insufficient finance.
The consequences are stark: this photo, taken at a rural health centre in the north-west region of Cameroon, shows the only latrine available to women to clean themselves after giving birth. This latrine is also shared by children attending a nearby school.
Photo: Fernando Matoso
A latrine in a health centre in Bambui, north-west Cameroon
In many countries, sanitation remains an obstacle to healthier livelihoods. For example, in Cameroon’s rural areas the percentage of people with access to safe sanitation is very low – rates have remained the same since the 1990s. Only 27% of the rural population is reported to have access to improved facilities.
The situation is so critical that diarrhoea is the main cause of death among children under five. Sadly, such human cost comes as no surprise, as the state has failed to implement policies and plans to address the crisis. Lack of political will is one of the greatest obstacles to solving the sanitation crisis – poor access is ultimately due to poor governance rather than poor infrastructure or insufficient finance.
The consequences are stark: this photo, taken at a rural health centre in the north-west region of Cameroon, shows the only latrine available to women to clean themselves after giving birth. This latrine is also shared by children attending a nearby school.
Photo: Fernando Matoso