India and Global Communities Come Together to Tackle the Sanitation Crisis on World Toilet Day 2024
As the world celebrates World Toilet Day on November 19, India continues its relentless efforts to ensure that every citizen has access to safe and hygienic toilet facilities. The government has directed all States and Union Territories to conduct ground-level surveys to identify existing gaps and expedite the construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs), as part of its Open Defecation Free (ODF) initiative.
In celebration of World Toilet Day, India is launching a high-profile campaign titled "Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman", which will commence on November 19 and culminate on Human Rights Day, December 10, 2024. The mission aims to highlight the importance of sanitation in promoting dignity, health, and security for all citizens.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has been instrumental in India's journey toward improving sanitation and eliminating open defecation. Since its launch in 2014, substantial progress has been made, including the construction of over 11.73 crore household toilets, resulting in more than 5.57 lakh ODF Plus villages. The mission's economic impact was equally impressive, saving ODF villages an average of INR 50,000 per family annually on healthcare.
The global community is also rallying around the theme "Toilets - A Place for Peace", underlining the urgent need to address the sanitation crisis, particularly in vulnerable and conflict-affected regions. The statistics are staggering—2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, and 2 billion lack basic hygiene services.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene are responsible for approximately 1,000 deaths of children under the age of five every day. Improved sanitation could potentially save 1.4 million lives annually, highlighting the critical need for action.
World leaders and organizations are calling on governments to prioritize sustainable solutions, promote awareness, and invest in long-term measures to ensure that no one is left behind. By working collectively, we can turn the vision of universal access to water and sanitation into reality, protecting the health and well-being of billions and creating a foundation for a more equitable and just world.
For India, World Toilet Day 2024 serves as an opportunity to reinforce its commitment to ensuring dignity and security for all citizens. The country has made significant progress in improving sanitation, but there is still much work to be done. As the campaign "Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman" embarks on a nationwide journey to promote safe and hygienic toilet facilities, India remains committed to creating a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable nation.
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