In 2013 a UN resolution, “Sanitation for All” was adopted by 122 countries at that year’s United Nations General Assembly. November 19 became the designated World Toilet Day and is coordinated by UN Water and partners to draw attention to the global sanitation crisis.

Out of the 7.6 billion people in the world, 4.5 billion (around 60% of the population) live without a toilet that safely disposes of waste. Without being properly contained, transported and treated, wastewater can lead to a variety of diseases and even death.

Although the number of deaths attributable to unclean water and poor sanitation has fallen over 50% since 1990, these deaths are entirely preventable and therefore have the potential to reach zero.

NTDs such as intestinal worms, schistosomiasis and trachoma affect millions of people and are transmitted through feces or contaminated water. Women and girls are affected disproportionately by poor sanitation for a variety of reasons.

Untreated wastewater contaminates food and drinking water sources causing diarrhea – the second leading killer of children under-five. Treated wastewater can be reused for agriculture and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing and more, saving resources and money.

Loss of productivity due to illnesses caused by lack of sanitation and poor hygiene practices is estimated to cost many countries up to 5% of GDP.