A major milestone in sanitation and community health was reached when two villages in Western Province’s South Fly and Delta Fly regions were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) on the 29th and 31st of July 2025.Pukaduka 1 Village in the Suki Fly Gogo region and Mutam Village in the Dudi region of the CMCA Trust area have successfully eliminated open defecation through the combined efforts of communities, development partners, and government agencies.
The declarations were made in partnership with the South Fly Women and Children Association (SFW&CA), Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA), and the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), as part of ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene across Western Province.
The events were celebrated with community members, local leaders, and key stakeholders, including WPHA Manager for Public Health Mr. Gagole Segela and South Fly District Development Authority representative and Chairman of the SF district WaSH Committee Mr. Joel Galuma.
The ODF declarations are part of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program implemented by OTDF as one of the programs Key Result Areas (KRA) in the OTDF Strategic Business Plan which aligns with the Western Provincial and District Health plan. The program aims to eliminate open defecation by encouraging safe sanitation practices, building household toilets, and running intensive hygiene awareness campaigns.
In both villages, achieving ODF status was the result of months of dedication and collaboration. OTDF and South Fly Women and Children Association (SFW&CA) facilitated Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) training, empowering villagers to take ownership of their sanitation needs. A combine population of 2,256 people were reached through the CLTS program. Every household now has a functioning toilet, and handwashing practices have become part of everyday life.
Speaking at Pukaduka 1, OTDF PSSD Manager Mr. Moses Kalup praised the determination of the villagers:
“This milestone shows what can be achieved when communities, local organisations, development partners, and government work together. Achieving ODF is not just about building toilets, it’s about protecting health, restoring dignity, and ensuring a cleaner future for our children and communities.”
WPHA’s Manager for Public Health, Mr. Gagole Sagella, also congratulated the villages, noting the broader public health impact:
“Ending open defecation breaks the cycle of preventable diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid. Your hard work will lead to healthier families and stronger communities. Today we are here to celebrate with you a new beginning.
We thank SFW&CA for being instrumental in driving this program and acknowledge OTDF for funding initiatives that change community perceptions. We hope to continue this partnership to deliver better health services across CMCA communities in Western Province.”
Mrs. Saridu Saudi (Women President) unveiling the ODF billboard for Pukaduka1 village
SFW&CA leaders expressed pride in the achievement and gratitude for OTDF’s continued support. Mrs. Saridu Saudi, President of Suki Fly Gogo W&CA, highlighted the significance of partnership in creating lasting change:
“Through this partnership with OTDF, we have been given ownership and a voice in deciding how resources are used for projects that directly benefit our communities. Thank you for bringing positive change to the lives of our people. We are more than grateful to OTDF for giving us a platform to be true development partners.”
With Pukaduka 1 and Mutam now Open Defecation Free, no one in these villages practices open defecation, a shift that improves hygiene, enhances and fosters community health, and protects the environment.
This success stands as an example to other communities across Western Province to embrace sanitation improvements and work towards ODF status.
OTDF remains committed to partnering with SFW&CA, the WPHA, and local government to ensure more villages achieve ODF, contributing to healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.