The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has started an intense campaign to end infant mortality, cholera, diarrhoea and other forms of diseases in 12 communities in the Onuimo Imo Local Government Area of Imo State.
To ensure that the campaign yields a positive result, UNICEF will partner with the state chapter of the National Orientation Agency, traditional rulers, community leaders and other volunteers.
During the campaign at Okohia-Umuna, Ezefoke, Ikwuato , Okwelle, Diakuma and Ezelu Okwe communities, UNICEF urged the residents to fight the diseases by stopping open defecation.
It stated that open defecation, according to research, was a major cause of diarrhoea and cholera.
The Director of NOA in the state, Vitus Ekeocha, said it was essential that every household in the communities had toilets for healthy defecation.
Ekeocha noted that indiscriminate defecation in various communities in the state was sabotaging the efforts of UNICEF.
The NOA director said, “UNICEF is determined to stop diseases that affect women and children in developing countries. Here in Imo state, UNICEF has chosen 12 communities in the Onuimo LGA .”
The UNICEF Programme Officer in the state, Chigozie Orjiaku, said the organisation in partnership with individuals would identify households without toilets and ensure that they get one.
Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
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