Assessment of the POST-ODF strategy on the sustainability of rural sanitation in Mali

Mali developed a Post Open Defecation Free (Post-ODF) strategy to anticipate sustainability problems and strengthen the results achieved by the CLTS approach. This research used a case study approach, in four ODF villages in two regions, to investigate the sustainability of rural sanitation outcomes in Mali. Overall, 95% and 64% of households interviewed had respectively latrines and handwashing facility in the villages that benefited from the Post-ODF approach. KIIs showed that the needs of vulnerable people are not sufficiently considered. The Post-ODF mechanisms were not fully functional, mainly due to the lack of ownership by mayors. However, 54% of the households maintained the ODF sustainability criteria, which is a good performance. To move towards sustainable sanitation outcomes, this research recommended to focus on improving the public funding of rural sanitation and strengthening the capacity of mayors on sanitation including by transferring resources to them for the implementation of Post-ODF activities.