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PROBLEM

Daily Life Poses a Threat To Health.

Many people around the world do not have access to hygienic environments where clean water flows from taps, toilets and showers are available at home, and waste is collected and properly disposed of. In countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia, despite high economic growth, hygiene-related issues are often neglected, leading to health problems such as susceptibility to diseases and ongoing physical discomfort in both rural and urban areas. Simply waiting for the government to develop water and waste management facilities will not solve these issues. It is essential for individuals to take action to protect their own health through behavioral changes.

Three million people lack access to toilets.

In Japan, almost no one lives in homes without toilets, but in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Nepal, approximately three million people are forced to defecate outdoors. This number increases significantly when including those who use rudimentary, unsanitary toilets, which are little more than a hole in the ground with some sort of makeshift privacy screen.

The number of citizens without toilets at home (%: proportion of the total population)

Source: WHO/UNICEF JMP2022

The presence or absence of toilets is correlated with household economic status, with lower-income households having lower rates of toilet ownership. However, there are people who, despite having limited income, find creative ways to install toilets. Therefore, improving hygiene is not solely determined by economic ability, and it is crucial to first change the perception of people who underestimate the importance of creating hygienic living environments such as toilets and handwashing.

A major factor contributing to health issues is daily behavior.

The challenges addressed by health and hygiene extend beyond just maintaining cleanliness. They encompass preventing hazards in the environment, recognizing and managing toxins and allergens, family planning, mental health, and more. Efforts are made in homes, workplaces, schools, and communities to address these issues. While it is essential for individuals to understand and practice these principles, in developing countries with access to information and governmental support in health and hygiene, the following situations are often observed:

  • Pathogenic bacteria and viruses are invisible to the naked eye, which weakens the awareness of maintaining cleanliness through practices such as handwashing, laundry, and cleaning.
  • It has become a habit to relieve oneself in bushes or rivers, among other places.
  • It has become a habit to drink water directly drawn from rivers or collected rainwater without any treatment.
  • While people are aware that insects like flies and mosquitoes, as well as rodents, can transmit diseases, they tend not to pay much attention to it.
  • With the current rapid increase in the use of non-biodegradable plastics and vinyl, people still discard trash outdoors following traditional customs. Especially in places like rivers and marshlands, where waste used to be naturally purified, large amounts of garbage are now being dumped.
  • People do not fully understand that while garbage used to be disposed of through open burning, nowadays, the waste produced can release harmful substances like dioxins when incinerated, leading to serious health risks.

These problems are not necessarily dependent on economic development for resolution. First and foremost, each individual needs to have the correct knowledge and develop habits to practice it in their daily lives.

FIDR's Initiatives

FIDR prioritizes improving health and hygiene in all countries, starting with disseminating information and raising awareness among residents, leading to behavioral changes. Subsequently, FIDR provides support for the improvement of sanitation facilities in homes and schools by supplying construction materials and technicians, while encouraging local authorities to take on monitoring and supervision, thereby strengthening future response capabilities. Additionally, In areas affected by disasters such as earthquakes and floods, where sanitation conditions worsen, FIDR provides emergency relief supplies such as soap and water purifier to people living in evacuation centers.

Projects in Progress

Past Projects

  • Cambodia

    Food and Nutrition Security Project

  • Vietnam

    Kon Tum Province Child Nutrition Improvement Project

  • Nepal

    Dhading District Community Development Project

Issues We Work on