Kandal provincial authorities have declared all 13 town and districts of the province “open defecation free plus”, or ODF+, after receiving results from the ODF+ verification team.

During a meeting chaired by Kandal governor Kong Sophorn, provincial deputy governor Dim Bora explained that ODF+ status signifies sustained access to safe sanitation facilities and proper waste disposal practices. 

“The province awaits the Ministry of Rural Development's formal announcement … ODF+ goes beyond basic sanitation to ensure high quality, aesthetics and cleanliness. Our province has already been declared ODF, but ODF+ marks a significant upgrade,” he said.

Bora said the goal of achieving ODF+ status is to ensure that all public and private properties – including homes, public buildings, health centres, schools, pagodas, petrol stations, restaurants, police stations, commune halls and others – have functional pour-flush toilets that are clean, odour-free and equipped with sufficient water and soap.

Rural development ministry spokesman Pit Karuna noted that Kandal is the second administrative region after Phnom Penh to have achieved ODF+ status.

He said that the two adjacent regions are awaiting confirmation of their ODF+ status, having already undergone ministry assessment.

"The assessment to achieve ODF+ status focuses on the use of pour-flush toilets. In places like Phnom Penh and Kandal province, individuals have their own toilets, unlike many rural areas," he explained.

Karuna also said that rural development extends beyond sanitation, with clean water supply equally crucial for improving rural residents' well-being. 

Highlighting both sectors as priorities for 2024, he vowed to achieve 100 per cent open defecation-free status and universal clean water access by 2025.

So far, six provinces – Kandal, Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang and Kep – have already been designated ODF by the ministry, a significant achievement in the country's sanitation efforts.