ZIMSPHERE
HARARE – 25 percent of Zimbabwe's rural population continues to defecate in the open, as official estimates reveal stagnation in sanitation improvements over the past five years.
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| An example of a VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit Latrine), or Blair Latrine, in Zimbabwe. [Image: PhilMSparrow/Getty Images] |
According to the latest Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) report, chaired by the Food and Nutrition Council, approximately 25% of the rural populace lacked access to toilets in 2024, a modest improvement from 30% at the turn of the century.
The report highlights that about half of the rural population has access to basic toilets, with an additional 9% utilizing limited facilities.
However, many toilets in these areas have never been upgraded or improved.
Matabeleland North, one of Zimbabwe's most underdeveloped regions, records the highest rates of open defecation at 50%.
Within this province, Binga district reported a staggering 73% open defecation rate, while the provincial capital, Lupane, has 53% of its residents without access to toilets.
Nkayi, another area in Matabeleland North, recently benefitted from a five-year USAID program aimed at constructing toilets.
Despite some provinces faring better, nearly all lack sufficient water for sanitation post-toilet use. The report indicates that only 6% of households have handwashing stations.
The end of the rainy season, often marked by flooding, saw a spike in waterborne illnesses due to the scarcity of clean water and deteriorating water infrastructure in townships.
Zimbabwe set an African record with 4,200 cholera deaths in 2008 and is currently experiencing a continued cholera outbreak, alongside Malawi, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria.
In many cases, communities reported relying on open wells for drinking and cooking water.
ZimLAC's report also noted a decline in overall access to basic water services in Zimbabwe, dropping from 60% in 2023 to 52% in 2024.
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