World Toilet Day 2019: 4.2 billion people still without safe sanitation

BEIJING, Nov. 19 (ECNS) -- In 2013, the 67th session of the General Assembly adopted a resolution to designate November 19 as World Toilet Day. This year's theme is "Do Not Leave Anyone Behind."

In 2019, 4.2 billion people worldwide still live without safe sanitation, and about 432,000 people die each year from diarrhoea, according to the U.N. website. To tis end, the United Nations noted that financial resources, capacity-building and technology transfer should be provided to support safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all.

A good toilet environment is not only necessary for people's daily life, but also an important symbol of a country's civilization. Countries around the world are also making moves to promote "Toilet Culture".

FILE PHOTO: A giant toilet is placed in front of the United Nations building in New York on World Toilet Day

4.2 Billion People Live Without Safe Sanitation

According to the WHO and UNICEF, the world still faces an environmental health crisis in the following areas:

·

·4.2 billion people live without safe sanitation;

·673 million people are still drowning in the open air, 91 per cent living in rural areas;

·At least 2 billion people use drinking water sources contaminated with faeces;

·Inadequate sanitation is estimated to cause 432,000 diarrhoeal deaths each year, a major factor in diseases such as Intestinal Worms, Trachoma And Bilharziasis.

·An estimated 297,000 children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrhoea as a result of unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hand hygiene practices.

WHO estimates that for every $1 invested in water and toilets, an average of $4 in medical costs can be saved, reducing mortality and increasing productivity. The global cost of providing basic health services is estimated at $19.5 billion per year, but funding is not yet sufficient.

FILE PHOTO: The United Nations marks World Toilet Day for the first time on November 19, 2013 local time

Sauce: China News

http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2019/11-19/9011411.shtml