In 2004, only 59% of the world population had access to any type of improved sanitation facility. In other words, 4 out of 10 people around the world have no access to improved sanitation.

They are obliged to defecate in the open or use unsanitary facilities, with a serious risk of exposure to sanitation related diseases. While sanitation coverage has increased from 49% in 1990, a huge effort needs to be made quickly to expand coverage to the MDG target level of 75%. Investing in sanitation infrastructure involves a long project cycle. If the MDG sanitation target
is to be achieved, innovative approaches need to be developed to reduce the time span from policy-making to services delivery.