BY LORETTA B MANELE

Australia as Solomon Islands biggest donor partner in the RWASH (Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Program) remains committed to strengthening health services in the country.

Dr Tristan Armstrong, Counsellor for Human Development from the Australian High Commission expressed this at the “World Toilet Day- We’ll Always Need the Toilet” event at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.

Armstrong said every man, woman and children no matter where they live, have the right to safe and clean sanitation.

He added that this is something we must know and remember, noting that being able to access safe and clean sanitation doesn’t just changes lives but also saves lives.

Armstrong said when people have this kind of access, it avoids people using the environment whether be it the bush or sea hence allows communities to live in a clean environment.

As the population in Solomon Islands increases so does the importance of the issue of having proper sanitation.

To top that of, Armstrong said while there are a number of changes happening around us like changes in climate, population change or sea-level change one thing that doesn’t change is the fact that everyone needs to have a proper toilet to use.

“So, this is a struggle that we need to think about,” he said.

Armstrong said at the moment, 21 percent of rural families have basic sanitation but this is not good enough as it still poses a danger to health, especially for children in terms of getting sick from water that is not clean.

He emphasised that work in ensuring communities have proper and clean sanitation is not just about health but also about the health of the future of Solomon Islands.

With that being said, Armstrong said Australia is so proud to be the largest donor in RWASH in Solomon Islands.

He voiced that in every village and province he has gone to, he tries to reach out to help communities to help change lives.

“…..because we Solomon Islands and Australia, we are neighbours, close friends, we are close in terms of our history and we will continue to help Solomon Islands,” said Armstrong.

With that being said, he announced that through Australia and Solomon Islands health partnership, Australia will pour in over 150 million dollars over the next four years to strengthen health services.

He added that this includes 75 million that will go straight to provincial health departments to support a lot of things including small infrastructures, water sanitation and hygiene.

Armstrong strongly voiced that to reach 100 percent no open defecation, everyone must work together and this includes provinces, central government, NGOs, and donors.

He furthered that their commitment is very clear and they will continue to support Solomon Islands to build a strong and resilient health system including toilets in every village because this part of the health system of the country.

“We invest in schools and villages in water and sanitation because we know that this is a foundation for a healthy life and a healthy life is a foundation for happy life and this is to have a big and strong economy,” he said.

Armstrong calls on every donor and leader in the national and provincial levels to always make sanitation their top priority, to include it in their budget and to talk strongly about it and champion it in every opportunity they have.

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