The sanitation programme of the Nigeria Red Cross volunteers’ works by the principle that "a healthy person is a wealthy person!" The volunteers work with the communities, encouraging people to keep their environment, such as market squares, churches, homes and schools, clean. The programme aims at promoting good health and preventing diseases in the community through sanitation. Some of the problems addressed included stagnant water, which can potentially cause malaria; and poor waste disposal and uncovered food that gathers flies carrying diseases. Concrete solutions include draining the water and creating a better system for waste disposal, thus reducing the spread of diseases such as malaria and cholera. In addition to empowering the local communities, this programme has increased the visibility of the National Society and helped recruit more volunteers.