Activists are urging governments and businesses worldwide to invest more to improve sanitation in poor countries where there is a dire shortage of toilets.

The toilet crisis is severe in parts of Africa and Asia, which are battling extreme poverty, AP reported. According to the report, an estimated 344 million children in sub-Saharan Africa do not have a decent toilet at home, leaving them vulnerable to diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases.

In South Africa, sanitation at schools has been a major concern in recent years.

According to an audit by the Department of Education, nearly 4 000 schools across the country do not have proper toilets - only pit toilets, News24 reported.

The audit further states that more than 3 000 schools have proper sanitation as well as pit toilets that have not been demolished.

There have been several pit toilet-related deaths.

Several civil society groups gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg on Monday for the World Toilet Day.

It’s World Toilet Day and we’re in Joburg hosting a Flush Forum where we’ll be sharing ideas on how to bring an end to the sanitation crisis that affects so many South African learners. Stay tuned for highlights from the event. #WorldToiletDay2018 #FlushForum pic.twitter.com/yiwB0cvu0s

— Domestos SouthAfrica (@DomestosSA) 19 November 2018

South African children have the right to basic water and sanitation facilities, at a place they consider safe. NO MORE PIT TOILET DEATHS AT SCHOOLS.
Let’s have our say and pledge a donation @DomestosSA #Worldtoiletday2018 #Flushforum #Wouldyougohere pic.twitter.com/BXuLVmjwxN
— Chanté Siyamthanda Jantjies (@ChanteJantjies_) 18 November 2018

When nature calls we need a toilet. But billions of people don’t have one. Today we celebrate #WorldToiletDay which is about taking action to ensure that everyone has a safe toilet by 2030. #WorldToiletDay2018 #WhenNatureCalls pic.twitter.com/kAujU7Y8ec
— Melbourne Water (@MelbourneWater) 18 November 2018

From the children and teachers who have to use the toilets to the those who have to clean them, so many people are negatively affected by poor sanitation. Our guests are getting a real look into the lives of the people impacted by this crisis. #WorldToiletDay2018 #FlushForum pic.twitter.com/aKymVs7fM6
— Domestos SouthAfrica (@DomestosSA) 19 November 2018

Where do people in your community go to the toilet?

As we mark #WorldToiletDay2018 we push for better, accessible, safe, quality and inclusive toilets for our coastal areas. #CMADI pic.twitter.com/fMwWhxxjBJ
— CMADI (@CMADI1) 19 November 2018

News24.com | World Toilet Day: Call to end school sanitation crisis in wake of learner deaths

World Toilet Day: Call to end school sanitation crisis in wake of learner deaths