Liberia Targets 2030 to End Open Defecation Nationwide

Liberia is on the verge of launching a nationwide campaign to end a practice that has threatened public health for decades: open defecation.

The country's National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Commission has developed a comprehensive roadmap that now sits on President Joseph Boakai's desk awaiting final approval. Once signed, the plan will guide the nation toward completely eliminating outdoor human waste disposal by 2030.

Open defecation remains widespread across Liberia, where many residents lack access to functioning toilets. Without proper facilities, people resort to using streets, fields, beaches, and forests as makeshift bathrooms.

The consequences extend far beyond discomfort. This practice pollutes water sources, contaminates soil, and accelerates the spread of preventable diseases throughout communities.

George W.K. Yarnko, who leads the WASH Commission, announced the finalized plan during a recent address in Monrovia. He explained that tackling this issue became a top priority since he took office.

The roadmap includes specific enforcement measures and infrastructure targets designed to bring modern sanitation to every corner of the nation. The plan acknowledges that outdated facilities and insufficient community programs have perpetuated the problem for years.

The Ripple Effect

Ending open defecation will transform more than Liberia's landscape. Clean sanitation prevents cholera, typhoid, and diarrheal diseases that disproportionately affect children under five.

When communities gain reliable toilet access, girls attend school more regularly and women work more productively. Environmental pollution decreases, protecting rivers and coastal areas that support fishing and tourism.

Yarnko stressed that success depends on cooperation between government agencies and everyday citizens. Infrastructure alone won't solve the challenge without community commitment to changing long-established habits.

The 2030 target aligns Liberia with global sanitation goals, positioning the nation to join others that have successfully ended this public health threat. With presidential approval expected soon, implementation teams stand ready to begin work in the most affected regions.

This roadmap represents more than policy: it's a promise that every Liberian deserves dignity, health, and access to basic sanitation.