UNICEF is working to increase the use of toilets in Solomon Islands and educate community leaders about the importance of sanitation.
UNICEF Regional Director, Karin Hulshof in Walo community, North Malaita with a local woman. Photo: Supplied/ UNICEF
The agency's Pacific Representative has just visited Malaita Province and he said villages were making good progress with, not only building more toilets, but understanding the positive impact on child health.
Sheldon Yett said Solomon Islands has one of the highest rates of open defecation in the Pacific, at 33 percent.
He said education within and between communities is a vital part of addressing the issue.
"It involves having toilets but it involves people taking responsibility for those toilets. It involves people understanding what the cost is if they don't have the toilets. It's just as much about communication and getting the idea out and community and peer pressure, as it is about facilities. Facilities are only half the battle, you need both."
Sheldon Yett said if good hygiene and sanitation is not available then children get sick and his team saw great understanding and innovation from communities in Malaita.
Unicef is aiming to end open defecation throughout Solomon Islands.