News & Learning

CHOBA Phase 2: Closing Gaps in Rural Sanitation

In rural Cambodia, the lack of sanitation remains a big problem. WHO data shows that only 30% of rural residents have a toilet in their homes, compared to 80% of urban dwellers. Fortunately, the government, along with its local agencies and other NGOs, actively addresses this issue. We at Thrive Networks aim to support the government’s work with our community programs so we can help them develop the rural WASH sector.

Through our Community Hygiene Output-Based Aid (CHOBA) program, poor rural families, who cannot afford toilets, gained funds and resources, which allowed them to build a latrine in their homes. From its launch in 2012, CHOBA has helped families from over 50,000 households. The program is now at its second phase (CHOBA2), which expands the program coverage and focus on its sustainability.

In November 2018 alone, 863 households across six districts in Pursat and Kampong Cham provinces built their own toilets through Thrive’s assistance. Overall, people from more than 18,000 households now appreciate the importance of sanitation facilities – having their own toilet means never worrying about having to defecate outdoors.

We will continue checking each home to see if their toilets meet basic standards (e.g. it has four walls and waste pits). Additionally, our team will expand our program’s reach to 1,531 houses without toilets by the end of December. We thank our partners from the provincial government and our community volunteers for their tireless work in ensuring that Cambodian families lead healthier lives.