Mandera Observes World Toilet Day, Urges Action on Sanitation Crisis

MANDERA – A workshop in Khalicha Village, organized by Nomadic Assistance for Peace and Development (NAPAD) with support from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), marked World Toilet Day on Tuesday.

The event centered on the 2024 theme, “Sanitation for Peace,” with participants emphasizing the urgent need to address global sanitation challenges..

World Toilet Day, commemorated annually on November 19, seeks to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and ensure access to safely managed sanitation for all.

Established by the World Toilet Organization in 2001, it became an official United Nations observance in 2013.

Stakeholders highlighted the devastating impact of conflict, climate change, disasters, and neglect on sanitation systems during the meeting.

Participants commemorate the 2024 World Toilet Day, In Mandera, a day observed annually on November 19, with the aim of inspiring action to address the global sanitation crisis and ensure universal access to safely managed sanitation. Photo/ Kulan Post

The delegates called for increased investment and stronger governance to protect these essential services.

“This essential space, central to our lives, should be safe and secure. Yet, billions of people face sanitation threats from conflict and extreme weather events,” said NAPAD in a press release after the summit.

Meinuna Abdi, a community mobilizer in the village, underlined the urgency of improving access to sanitation to build a more equitable and peaceful world.

She said that the lack of functioning toilets unleashes deadly diseases like cholera, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Currently, 3.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation, including 419 million who still practice open defecation worldwide.

A participant demonstrates proper sanitation practices during the commemoration of the 2024 World Toilet Day, observed annually on November 19, to inspire action in addressing the global sanitation crisis and ensuring universal access to safely managed sanitation. Photo/ Kulan Post

This alarming statistic threatens progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims for universal access to safe sanitation by 2030.

“Governments must ensure sanitation and water services are resilient, effective, and accessible to everyone. These systems must be protected from harm to safeguard public health,” said Haji Mohamed, a resident of Khalicha Village.

Mr. Suleiman Dahir called for urgent action, stressing that improved sanitation is essential for both public health and environmental safety.

“When toilet systems fail, untreated waste spreads, polluting the environment and causing preventable diseases,” he warned.

This year’s theme, “Toilets – A Place for Peace,” aims to raise awareness and drive action to address the global sanitation crisis. Photo/ UN

Attendees at the event also called attention to the transformative power of sanitation, particularly for women and girls.

“Sanitation is a human right. It protects dignity and transforms lives, especially for women and girls. More investment and better governance are crucial for a fairer community, county, country and world,” said Kuresha Ali.