There is a global sanitation crisis.
Next time you wander off to the toilet have a think about this, an estimated 2.4 billion people (that’s one third of the world’s population) live without clean and safe toilets. Of these, more than one billion have no access to toilets at all, forcing them to ‘do their business’ in the open with alarming health consequences.
This kind of blew me away.
I’ve got three kids and I know what it’s like (panic) when you’re out and about, only to have one (or more) children tell you they need to go to the toilet – when there’s no toilet in sight. I cannot imagine what it is like not to have NO access to a toilet at all.
But this is real, and it’s woman and children it affects more so, who when having no option but to ‘do their business’ in the open risk shame, harassment and even attack. Every two minutes, a child dies of diahorrea related diseases that could have been avoided with improved sanitation.
The sanitation crisis is very very real.
Domestos and UNICEF have joined together to urge Australians to help make a difference. Domestos and UNICEF have been improving the lives of children for four years. The partnership supports UNICEF’s community-lead program, promotes good hygiene practices and supports access to toilets. As a result of the partnership 1,320,000 people have been reached and 665,000 of these people now live in communities with access to clean safe toilets.
UNICEF in partnership with Domestos is enhancing sanitation and hygiene in Keynan schools.
Domestos is asking Australians to “destroy germs, protect children”.
Between July 15 and December 31 every specially marked bottle of Domestos sold in Australia will contribute directly to UNICEF’s global sanitisation program. The goal is to help 25 million people to gain improved access to a toilet by 2020.
“Domestos’ mission, together with UNICEF is to put an end to the spread of germs and provide access to clean and safe toilets for people worldwide” said Tessa Black, Australian Brand manger for Domestos.
UNICEF Australian Chief Executive Norman Gillespie said urgent action was needed to curb the disastrous global impact of inadequate sanitation.
“We thank Domestos for playing a leading role towards a global goal to bring clean and safe toilets to people in some of the world’s most disadvantaged places” Dr Gillespie said.
Alice Ndolo from Nduru Village (14kms from Siaya Town). Nduru Village has been certified as Open Defecation Free since January 2015.
So how can you help?
There are four ways Australians can act now and change the lives of people affected by this crisis.
- Buy a specially marked bottle of Domestos. Every specially marked bottle of Domestos with the UNICEF disclaimer sold in Australia and New Zealand between 1/7/15 and 1/1/16 will support UNICEF’s sanitation program with 16¢ AUS and 18¢ NZD.
- Donate to the UNICEF Sanitisation Programme
- Tell your friends about the Global Sanitation Crisis
- Become and Ambassador with an online toolkit providing resources to fundraise for UNICEF and spread the message in your community.
You can find more information about the global sanitisation crisis, including real stories of women and children who have been reached by Domestos’ partnership with UNICEF at www.domestos.com.au
Please join me to help make a difference.
