Community-led total sanitation (CLTS) in fragile contexts: the Somalia case

This paper presents the lessons learnt from a pilot CLTS intervention in the challenging context of Somalia. This experience presents the challenges in contexts where highly subsidised latrine construction was previously applied. Results show that it is still possible to trigger to a great extent a community ‘with a desire for change with regards to open defecation and facilitate them to build their own household latrines without subsidisation’. Hundreds of latrines have been constructed and Open Defecation Free status achieved in two locations in Gedo Region in South Somalia where no subsidy was provided, while not a single latrine has been constructed by households in 14 villages in Gabiley Region where subsidy was provided. Households that didn’t receive subsidy are still waiting for it and open defecation continues. Commitment, attitude and mind-set of the implementers, community and the local authority are key to success in any context – fragile or stable.