Thomson Reuters Foundation: Why a lack of toilets are stunting children’s heights and hopes
Dan Jones, advocacy coordinator at WaterAid

“…A new report released by WaterAid this week reveals that India has the greatest number of children in the world suffering from stunted growth … It’s no coincidence that India also has the greatest number of people in the world practicing open defecation. … Children are at constant risk of diarrhea when they drink dirty water, often polluted by people going to the toilet in the open. … The issue isn’t just confined to India. African nations are among the worst for high rates of stunting in children under five … The U.N. Global Goals for Sustainable Development seeks to end malnutrition by 2030, giving an opportunity for governments, donors, and international agencies to invest in solutions that will improve the lives of children … But as this report highlights malnutrition is not just about food, which has for too long been the focus of most nutrition programs. Good food will only get us halfway to the finishing line in addressing this crisis. Governments must make ambitious investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene in order to end malnutrition altogether…” (7/28).