Kratie province has officially been declared open defecation free (ODF), becoming the 20th province in Cambodia to achieve this milestone.

The ceremony was held at the Kratie Provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts on Monday, May 5, 2025, under the presidency of H.E Chhay Rithisen, Minister of Rural Development.

The Minister of Rural Development called on all stakeholders to continue to actively participate and cooperate to solve challenges to improve rural sanitation even further by continuing to focus on supporting people in remote villages and vulnerable people so that they can fully access clean water, sanitation, and rural sanitation services.

The Minister expressed his appreciation for the progress and achievements that Kratie province has made in all sectors, including security, order, economy, society and culture, especially the improved living standards, changing habits through promoting the provision of clean water and sanitation services.

The Minister urged the provincial administration and all relevant parties to continue to maintain rural water supply and sanitation, especially exploring mechanisms to maintain the province's open defecation free sustainability and promote work to achieve open defecation free Plus in the near future.

By Mr Pheara