About 950 people living in three Seaside communities in the greater Port Vila, Vanuatu now have access to better sanitation facilities.
The residents live in Seaside Paama, Seaside Futuna and Seaside Tongoa.
The sanitation facilities have been refurbished and extended to include universally accessible (disabled) toilet and shower facilities.
These facilities were reviewed by the Vanuatu Society for People with Disability (VSPD) to ensure safe and easy access for persons with mobility issues.
Child height hand-washing basins and laundry tubs as well as cleaning supply cupboards were included in the refurbishments.
The facilities are part of a wider program of the Port Vila Urban Development Project (PVUDP) to improve sanitation and the health and living conditions of the people living in seven central areas and peri-urban settlements including Seaside Paama, Seaside Futuna, Seaside Tongoa, Blacksands Tongariki and Mele Waisisi, Ohlen Nabanga and Tokyo Buninga.
Each of the target communities have established a Sanitation Committee responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facilities.
Committee members have received training in financial management as well as plumbing and industrial cleaning techniques.
Target communities participated in a two-year hygiene and sanitation education and awareness program designed and implemented by World Vision Vanuatu and Wan Smolbag.
The awareness program was highly effective in improving the management of solid waste and increasing understanding of the link between good hygiene (hand washing) and good health.
The facilities at the Seaside communities were opened recently by the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Jotham Napat, Australian High Commissioner, Jenny Da Rin, and Asian Development Bank representative, Nancy Wells.
The Government of Vanuatu in Partnership with the Australian Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are funding the Port Vila Urban Development Project (PVUDP) as one of the major investments in the nation's capital. PVUDP will contribute to sustainable urban development in Port Vila through improved roads, drainage and sanitation infrastructure and services. The Project duration is from 13 February 2013 to 31st December 2018.
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