A CHILD rights group appealed to local government units to help children in poor households and remote areas avoid diseases like diarrhea by giving them access to water and sanitation facilities.

Save the Children Philippines made the same call for those living in typhoon-affected provinces.

On World Toilet Day, the group urged local government units to support access to water, hygiene and sanitation facilities for children and their families, particularly those in poverty and conflict-stricken provinces.

“The realization of children’s right to health and survival must be fulfilled by providing them access to clean water and toilet facilities that will ensure their health and well-being,”  Atty. Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines, said.

The group said that massive flooding has forced thousands of families to resort to open defecation, putting children’s lives at risk from water borne diseases.

“Addressing the problem on access to functional toilets at home and in school, and eliminating open defecation practices in some communities require a change in behavior and practices on poor sanitation and hygiene,” Jonathan Valdez, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Advisor of Save the Children Philippines, said.

“Children with disabilities and those living in poor and marginalized communities disproportionately do not have access to resources for improved sanitation,” he added.