Voices from the field Ibrahim is a middle-aged man living
our animals. We resisted change
in Kadaddaba, an open defecation-
because we did not know the ben-
free community in Zamfara State.
efit until UNICEF and RUWASSA
He is one of the “natural leaders”
came to our rescue. They didn’t
identified and trained by UNICEF
just give us money, they opened
and the State Rural Water Supply
our eyes!”
and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) to promote sanitation awareness and healthful practices. He and his other team members promote CLTS in his and neighbouring communities. While visiting a neighbouring community that was affected by cholera, he explained to them: “We were worse than you! We were living with diseases, drinking from the same dirty sources of water as
Ibrahim is proud that Kadaddaba is open defecation free, with every household having and using
are now growing big and healthy,”
latrines. The community has also
says Ibrahim with a smile. “We
built a public toilet, because they
have been empowered, and we
do not want visitors to defecate
now have skills that bring us
openly in their community. Sign boards inform visitors that unsanitary practices will not be tolerated, and that everyone must have and use a proper toilet. “Our children
money and fame, as people from neighbouring communities seek our services to implement CLTS and build new facilities.”
improved health benefits, and are reporting a reduction
leverage additional funding from the Government
in diarrhoea incidences and better general well-being.
of Nigeria and development partners to expand these
Working with numerous partners under the auspices
programmes.
of the National Task Group on Sanitation, UNICEF has assisted in mobilizing both human and financial resources to continue scaling-up CLTS in Nigeria.
The value of RR in Nigeria Restricted Other Resources have generally targeted specific sanitation activities in specific locations, cov-
Considering the magnitude of the problem, mobilizing more Regular Resources for community-led total sanitation in Nigeria will go a long way in expanding UNICEF’s work in the country, and will greatly contribute towards achieving the sanitation targets of the Millennium Development Goals.
ering about a third of the states in Nigeria. As a result, UNICEF has had to rely upon unrestricted Regular Resources to ensure that sanitation services reach underserved areas. UNICEF has also used Regular Resources to initiate new sanitation projects and
REPORT ON REGULAR RESOURCES 2010
33