Matt Damon has declared he is on an extended bathroom break.
The 42 year-old actor made the announcement to the world in the hopes that it would draw attention to the 2.5 billion people worldwide who lack access to improved sanitation and the 780 million that lack access to safe water.
“In protest of this global tragedy, until this issue is resolved, until everybody has access to clean water and sanitation, I will not go to the bathroom,” the Bourne star said.
Following the tongue-and-cheek announcement, Damon has now launched a short film entitled The Water Crisis. Starring himself, the animated production – complete with Damon’s signature straight-faced comedy – was launched to coincide with this year’s World Water Day and hopes to spur action and raise funds for the November event.
“Does anybody have any idea what invention has saved more lives than any other in the history of humankind?” Damon’s character asks viewers, before answering the question himself: the toilet.
He goes on to share a multitude of startling facts including:
– More people own mobile phones than a toilet, highlighting development priorities;
– Women bear the burden of this crisis, having to continually search for clean water, and;
– Water and sanitation problems claim more lives than guns in war – making death by diarrhea a common conclusion for many.
The film was created by the non-profit organisationWater.org, which Damon co-founded, that has helped to transform hundreds of communities in the developing world by providing access to safe water and sanitation. It is well worth a watch:
