Postcard from Bishkek

For those of us involved in tourism, we used to understand the acronym as World Tourism Organization – a UN agency which brought together the members of the United Nations to consider issues relating to one of the World’s major industries … but a few years ago we had to get used to a new acronym as it changed its name to UNWTO – The United Nations World Tourism Organization.

At the time we asked ourselves why on earth they would want do that – WTO is clear and simple, easy to remember and also rolls off the tongue.  The answer was simple … there was a “new kid on the block” that had lain claim to those three letters of the alphabet – the World Trade Organization.

Well, yesterday I came across a new WTO, (well new to me – it’s been around since 2001), the World Toilet Organization.  I kid you not!

The WTO was founded, as I said, in 2001 by a Singaporean, (Jack Sim), to lobby and work for sanitation work and development around the world.  They say that globally diarrhea is the leading cause of death in the world today – killing more people than have been killed in all the conflicts in the last century.  An estimated 2.6 billion (yes, billion) people – including 980 million children – do not have access to basic sanitation in the world today.

They currently have 235 members, in 58 different countries – either professional individuals or organizations working in the field.  Unfortunately they don’t have members in Kyrgyzstan … which is not renowned for the quality of its toilets.

Toilets, and in particular public toilets, are a common topic of conversation amongst visitors to the country, whether they be tourists or consultants, and they represent one area of the infrastructure where the Kyrgyz Republic really needs to invest.  Indeed, there has been a lot of comment and controversy on this topic in recent years … led by the previous Japanese ambassador to the country who raised the topic at almost any and every opportunity.

At first there was embarrassed laughter, but as time passed people came to realise that, in the words of a former Prince of Wales, “Something must be done”, and the controversy stirred up so publicly by the Japanese ambassador has finally begun to have an effect.  There have been suggestions that anyone wanting to open new roadside service stations will have to provide special facilities and as part of the reconstruction of the Bishkek-Naryn-Torugart road there are plans to construct new facilities.

The events in the south of Kyrgyzstan have also been a stimulus for action, with doctors receiving extra training on how to deal with diarrhoea and other ailments that arise from poor sanitation – an issue which arisen as a result of the destruction of so much property over the summer.

They may not be the worst toilets in the world – but public toilets are “few and far between” … and in many cases, (especially outside the cities), will be of the “squat” variety which are unfamiliar and unpopular in the West.  Even these come in different forms … some may simply be a hole in the ground.  Almost all smell unpleasant.

Even where one finds pedestal toilets, the conditions may leave a lot be desired.  For example there may no toilet seat – or no  door to the cubicle.

Toilets in CBT, (Community Based Tourism), accommodation are normally clean and reasonable, usually with lighting available at night – it’s one of the conditions for inclusion in the scheme.

Where there are public toilets, for example in the cities, or at a roadside, then there is usually a fee collected by someone sitting outside with a stock of toilet paper, (but it won’t be “soft tissue”).  I’ve learned that it is a good idea to carry some spare tissues or paper serviettes with me on a long jouney.  However, such ”platnaya” toilets should be cleaner than others .

a “Gents” is usually denoted by the letter “M” and …
a “Ladies” by the Cyrillic letter “Ж”  … )|(

Sorry, but that’s how it is.

Anyway, the WTO declared the day of their founding, (19th November), as World Toilet Day as a way to focus attention on the issue.  That’s how it came to my attention on Friday.

As far as I am aware the day hasn’t been adopted by the UN, although the organization works with several UN agencies along with other donors, on a variety of projects around the world.  This year they organized some 30-odd events around the world – in 17 different countries – to commemorate the day: Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Nepal, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, the UK,  the US and Zambia.)

Unfortunately, Kyrgyzstan wasn’t on that list, but as the list seems to change from year to year, (Last year there were events in 20 different countries) …  maybe next year.

For those who are interested, you can find out more about the WTO at: http://www.worldtoilet.org/ and about World Toilet Day at: http://www.worldtoilet.org/wtd/share.asp

Tags: CBT, For_the_Record, Kyrgyzstan, Life_in_Kyrgyzstan, Organizations