The Rt Rev George Katwesigye, the Bishop of Kigezi in Uganda, as challenged government donors to be more ‘faith literate’ and to release the largely untapped potential of the local church in tackling the sanitation crisis in the world’s poorest countries.

Poor countries rarely have adequate sewage systems. In Nicaragua for example 80% of people live on less than £1.10 each day, and unsurprisingly, cholera and malaria are rife. Worst affected are the densely populated shanty towns, where sewage often runs unprotected at the side of streets.

If you are looking for an unusual gift to give, but something that is also going to do some good, then why not give a toilet through Christian Aid's Present Aid scheme? Visit Christian Aid's Present Aid site here

Governments will today (Nov 19) be accused of denying millions of people in the developing world a simple medical breakthrough – sanitation - that transformed British society 150 years ago. A new report from Christian development agency Tearfund calls for a Global Action Plan.

Every year 19th November is World Toilet Day. World Toilet Day falls on the day in 1792 when the Toilet that flushes itself at regular intervals was patented. But campaigners say it also a day to celebrate the humble, yet vitally important, toilet and to raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis. You can give a toilet through Christian Aid here