2.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation, hygiene: UNNovember 19, 2015 - 12:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is using World Toilet Day on Thursday, November 19, to spotlight one of the least talked about and most important contributors to disease and malnutrition: poor sanitation and hygiene that affect about a third of the world's population, the Associated Press reports. According to the United Nations, 2.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation and nearly one billion have no toilet facilities and are forced to relieve themselves in open areas. The UN Millennium Development Goals, which are supposed to be achieved this year, call for cutting in half the proportion of the population without access to basic sanitation. Ban said that by many accounts, this will be "the most-missed target." That's why the UN launched a "Call to Action on Sanitation" in 2013 and aims to end "open defecation" by 2025, he said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |