From Nigeria to Nepal, learn how sanitation and toilet innovations are creating safer communities.
Around the world, 4.5 billion people live without access to safely managed sanitation, and 892 million of those people defecate in the open. Without safe sanitation, water-borne diseases spread, girls drop out of school, and the environment is harmed. In honor of World Toilet Day, learn about these four standout sanitation and toilet innovations.
In Tombia, Nigeria, people who do not have access to toilets—45% of the population—defecate on the river banks. As a result, diseases like diarrhea and cholera spread quickly in contaminated water. Spring Development Initiative recognizes the limitations of pit latrines and septic tanks, so their team plans to build well-ventilated, public toilets for the community in Tombia to use. Coupled with hygiene education, SDI hopes to reduce instances of water-borne diseases by 50%.
BUILD A COMMUNAL TOILET IN NIGERIA
During typhoon season in the Philippines, flush toilets become useless due to the lack of clean water. With WAND’s dry, waterless toilets, families can save precious water and prevent the spread of disease. Some communities even use their waste to fertilize their gardens!
In 2013, Cambodian Community Dream Organization built thatched outhouses for communities in need, but weather conditions damaged the buildings over time. Today, CCDO is rebuilding those same outhouses with bricks to ensure longevity and privacy.
CONSTRUCT A BRICK OUTHOUSE IN CAMBODIA
Without clean, private bathrooms at school, many Nepali girls stay home during their period, which often leads to dropping out of school altogether. Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness, a local Nepali nonprofit, is building girls-only bathrooms that include places to dispose of sanitary pads. Additionally, ECCA provides reusable sanitary pads so girls never have to go without.
World Toilet Day is held every year on Nov. 19. Donate to one of the projects above to show your commitment to safe sanitation.
Featured Photo: El Nino Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative by Water, Agroforestry, Nutrition and Development FoundationFind exactly what you're looking for in our Learn Library by searching for specific words or phrases related to the content you need.
