The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has said that currently 2.5 billion people still lack improved sanitation in the world.
According to a report issued by UNICEF and WHO, the world is still far from meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target for sanitation and is unlikely to do so by 2015.
Only 63 percent of the world now has improved sanitation access, a figure projected to increase only to 67 percent by 2015, well below the 75 percent aim in the MDGs.
UNICEF and WHO also cautioned that since the measurement of water quality is not possible globally, progress towards the MDG target of safe drinking water is measured through gathering data on the use of improved drinking water sources.
Significant work must be done to ensure that improved sources of water are and remain safe. Water, sanitation and hygiene are key to improving health and development, said report.
The report highlights the immense challenges that remain. Global figures mask massive disparities between regions and countries and within countries. The report confirms that in cases where water supplies are not readily accessible, the burden of carrying water falls dis-proportionately on women and girls.
In many countries, the wealthiest people have seen the greatest improvement in water and sanitation access, while the poorest still lag far behind.
The report provides the latest update on rural areas across the globe, highlighting the need for greater attention both to water and sanitation.
In rural areas in least developed countries, 97 out of every 100 people do not have piped water and 14 percent of the population drinks surface water for example, from rivers, ponds, or lakes.
Of 1.1 billion people who still practice open defecation, the vast majority (949 million) live in rural areas. The United Nations General Assembly has recognized drinking water and sanitation as human rights.
