The state of the world’s sanitation | UNICEF – UNICEF

The world is alarmingly off-track on delivering universal access to safe sanitation. For billions of people, toilets and sewage systems are still out of reach. Those living in poor and rural communities are at most risk of being left behind.

Over 700 children die every day from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water, sanitation, and poor hygiene. Over half the worlds population uses sanitation services that leave human waste untreated, threatening human health. Meanwhile, 673 million people still practice open defecation and an estimated 367 million children attend a school with no sanitation facility at all.

Everyone is entitled to sanitation services that are affordable and accessible, and provide privacy, dignity and safety.This not only improves societys health but also leads to better economic and social development.

Sanitation is a human right.

Talking about toilets may be awkward, but we need to act now and double ourefforts if we are to eliminate open defecation. While the challenges are significant, meeting the goal of universal sanitation by 2030 is possible with greater investment, sustained effort and increased rates of sanitation coverage.

Many countries have made rapid progress in access to sanitation, transforming lives, the environment, and their economies, all within one generation.

Above: Aumelina helps her child in using the family latrine outside their home in Tablanusu, a 100 per cent Open Defecation Free (ODF)village in Papua Province, Indonesia.

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The state of the world's sanitation | UNICEF - UNICEF