Many people in the Pacific do not have access to adequate toilets, and climate change is making the situation worse.

The Pacific Islands may conjure up images of huge coastlines and picturesque landscapes. But while this part of the world may look like paradise, many locals face a solemn public health problem.

By Pacific Nationsalmost half a million people they live in informal urban settlements that lack adequate sanitation, which may result in restricted access to functioning toilets.

This has an impact on health, well-being, education and livelihoods, especially for womenchildren, elderly people and disabled people.

Our recent study published in the journal Nature Pure water NPJWe examined the state of sanitation in several informal urban settlements in two Pacific countries – Fiji and Vanuatu. Our findings show that this is a problem that requires urgent attention.

Field research

We worked with researchers from the University of the South Pacific to survey households and examine sanitation infrastructure. Our team surveyed 393 households in nine informal urban settlements in the capitals of Fiji (Suva) and Vanuatu (Port Vila).

These housing estates are developing when people settle on uninhabited land that has not been planned for development, usually due to a lack of affordable housing options. Informal urban settlements often lack access to basic services and infrastructure, such as sewage systems, electricity, paved roads and waste collection.

We found that although piped water is available, the majority of households (between 56% and 100% of households in each settlement) still rely on unsafe sanitation to manage human waste. Many exploit poorly constructed parched pits – for example, a plinth over a hole in the ground – or cesspools. These toilets have no plumbing and do not exploit running water for flushing. All are located on-site (in or near the home), meaning that waste, treated or untreated, remains in the settlement.

In addition to everyday challenges, we found that one in three households loses access to functioning toilets during massive rains, cyclones or floods. Desiccated well systems are four to eight times more likely to be damaged during climate events than water systems in the same settlements.

We also found that safe and sound waste management, particularly from septic tanks and pits, poses significant challenges for residents. Even when toilets are available and functioning properly, there is often no safe and sound and sustainable way to manage waste that accumulates in pits and tanks.

In many cases, sediment is dumped into open areas in the settlement, into local rivers, or seeps into the ground. This can contaminate water sources and create solemn environmental and public health hazards.

In addition, we found that cyclones and massive rains destroy sanitation systems, causing sewage to overflow and contaminating water resources.

Communities at risk

Melanesian countries, including Vanuatu and Fiji, are particularly vulnerable to serious climatic hazardswhich makes it crucial that the sanitation infrastructure in informal urban settlements is able to withstand these environmental hazards.

Indigent sanitary conditions in these areas leads to the spread diseases such as diarrheaintestinal worms and trachoma. Studies show that improving water and sanitation systems significantly reduce the risk child deaths and deaths caused by diarrhea.

Estimates from the World Health Organization and UNICEF indicate that less than 3% urban population in Fiji and Vanuatu exploit unimproved or unsafe sanitation facilities – that is, facilities that do not allow for the safe and sound collection, treatment and disposal of human waste.

This figure contrasts sharply with our finding that the majority of households in informal urban settlements rely on unsafe sanitation conditions. It highlights the need for improved monitoring strategies that distinguish informal settlements from formally planned areas.

How can we solve this problem?

Toilets alone won’t solve the problem. Communities need a comprehensive approach that addresses sanitation management at every stage. This will include creating a complete service chain that ensures reliable waste removal, treatment and disposal, and is resilient to disasters.

This means building local expertise, supporting local service providers, ensuring systems are well maintained and promoting community ownership of these systems to ensure long-term sustainability.

In informal settlements, the provision of these services is much more complex than in formal urban areas, mainly due to the uncertain land tenure situation and restricted access to adequate infrastructure, which makes the work of service providers complex.

However, a significant portion of the urban population of the Pacific living in informal settlementsfinding effective ways to safely manage sanitation conditions in these communities is necessary.

This sixth sustainable development goal aims to provide spotless water and sanitation for all. Addressing the sanitation crisis in the Pacific Islands is about protecting health, restoring dignity, supporting livelihoods and building resilience at the household and community level, which are at the frontline of an increasingly uncertain future.