DIRE SITUATION

WHO: Billions Have No Access to Toilets

Leading to water pollution.

According to a report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, one-third of the world’s population has no access to toilets. People who live without toilets pollute water sources, inadvertently leading to malnutrition and stunted growth in children. More than 160 million children are physically and mentally impaired every year as a result, and 700,000 more are killed by diarrhea diseases that could have been prevented, the agencies estimate. “Until everyone has access to adequate sanitation facilities, the quality of water supplies will be undermined and too many people will continue to die from waterborne and water-related diseases,” said WHO’s public health director.