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P A G E 1 6
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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4
An estimated one billion people lack ac-
cess to toilets or latrines and engage in open
defecation which leads to water contamina-
tion, parasitic infections, and gastrointestinal
diseases. In Madagascar, it is shocking to
consider that less than 20% of the population
and only 11.3% of rural villagers have suffi-
cient toilet access (World Bank Data, 2012).
The economic impacts add up to over $100
million dollars lost per year in Madagascar
due to diminished productivity and medical
costs (World Bank Water and Sanitation Pro-
gram, 2011). In coastal areas which are sus-
ceptible to flooding during cyclone season, traditional pit toilets frequently overflow and spill
out. In Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, over 70% of the toilets are pit latrines, and
many of the public toilets are not free and frequently fall into disrepair. A bubonic plague
outbreak in 2011 in Talatavolonondry (27km north of the capital), was linked to a blocked
drainage canal from a large public toilet, which led to a sudden proliferation of rats (IRIN,
2011).
To reduce open defecation in our region, SAVA Conserva-
tion has established a new collaboration with the Sambava
branch of
JCI), a Florida based
non-profit organization active in 80 countries. JCI is com-
prised primarily of young professionals aged 18 to 40. Their
mission is to locally promote social and economic develop-
ment and international good-will. In Sambava, JCI has been
cleaning up the main beach through their “plage convivial”
program which includes construction of children’s play-
grounds, public benches, and latrines. SAVA Conservation
has financed the construction of one the large two room la-
trine, which has running water for hand-washing. We recog-
nize the inextricable link between global health and environ-
mental protection, and this project is but one example.
Collaborating With Junior Chamber International (JCI) to
Reduce Open Defecation
by Dr. Erik Patel