Everyone deserves a clean, safe place to go to the bathroom, yet 2.4 billion people worldwide suffer from a lack of sanitation. Millions of them are forced to use nature as a toilet, turning the great outdoors into the not-so-great outdoors.
Read more: What You Need to Know About Water & Sanitation
Having to go to the bathroom outside isn’t just embarrassing or uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. Open defecation can contaminate water sources and promote the spread of diseases and malnutrition. 946 million people are in need of clean, private toilets and we need international cooperation to see that those people get them.
Read more: Ghana Says “Let’s Talk Shit,” Because They’re Fed Up With Open Defecation
Despite being an island, Singapore has no natural water supply and has been threatened by water scarcity. Recognizing its unreliable water supplies and dependence on foreign water resources as vulnerabilities, Singapore developed its own sustainable water systems — including one that turns poop into water. The tiny nation is now a champion not only for clean water, but also for sanitation because good sanitation is key to maintaining clean water supplies and public health.
Read more: Singapore Is About More Than Chewing Gum
Unfortunately, just across the strait neighboring Indonesia has the second highest number of people openly defecating in the world. Its current president, Joko Widodo, championed sanitation improvement as Jakarta’s government, but he’s in an even better position to bring about reform now.
Read more: The Poo Ninja Threatens Indonesian Children. Who Can Save Them?
That’s why we called on you to give Singapore’s Foreign Minister and the President of Indonesia the push that they need by tweeting a photo of yourself cleaning your toilet — because so many people still don’t have a clean toilet — and you did not disappoint!
Here’s a look at how global citizens got people talking about #BathroomBusiness.
I have a clean toilet but so many don’t @MFAsg@Jokowi help change millions of lives. Let’s talk #BathroomBusiness. pic.twitter.com/K2ihZ0GTrm
— Melissa Paz (@melissahh_paz) August 29, 2016
I have a clean toilet but so many don’t @MFAsg@Jokowi help change millions of lives. Let’s talk #BathroomBusinesspic.twitter.com/Y4jY3Rzfck
— Dave91A (@David91Diaz) August 23, 2016
Dear @MFAsg & @Jokowi, please help provide millions of people w/ improved sanitation by 2030! TY #BathroomBusinesspic.twitter.com/UfPpUC6gHF
— vanessa jay. (@HauteAmazon) August 25, 2016
@MFAsg and @Jokowi!!! Make everyone have the same same privileges we take for granted! #BathroomBusinesspic.twitter.com/rry1hcjGYB
— D_mackinit (@Dmackin_it) August 23, 2016
I have a clean toilet but so many don’t @MFAsg@Jokowi help change millions of lives. Let’s talk #BathroomBusiness. pic.twitter.com/pS2hii9VrI
— Ana Cecilia Camarena (@AnaCamarena) August 23, 2016
Supporting Global Citizens and their #BathroomBusiness initiative for water/sanitation reform. @MFAsg@Jokowipic.twitter.com/7llygoVMot
— Brenden Gregory (@BrendoGrego) August 25, 2016
@MFAsg@jokowi#BathroomBusiness
— Kristin John (@kristinjohn26) August 23, 2016
Everyone should have a clean place to go to the bathroom! 2.4 billion ppl suffer. pic.twitter.com/6QpyBbvTIk
If you haven't already taken action, go here to show up for water & sanitation by tweeting your photo to ask Singapore and Indonesia to improve sanitation for millions of people!