Meet Mr Poo, UNICEF's new anti-public defecation mascot whose mission is to encourage children to use the loo



The ad is designed to encourage children to use the loo in India

Open defecation is almost universal amongst the poorest 20%

The ad stars a stool called Mr Poo that chases people to toilets

This may be one of the most bizarre public service adverts ever screened - and it is funded by the UNICEF.

Starring a giant stool called Mr Poo that chases people to the toilets, the ad is designed to encourage children to use the loo in India.

In a country where only half of the population uses toilets, the United Nations Children's Fund want to tackle public health head on.

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On the run: A man is chased by a giant stool called Mr Poo in UNICEF's bizarre anti-defecation advert On a mission: The hero, Mr Poo, collars a man before showing him the way to the loo

The 'Poo2Loo' campaign seeks to bring people's attention to the health hazards associated with public defecation, CNN reported.

According to UNICEF, India has the highest number of people in the world - an estimated 620 million - who defecate in public.



Studies show open defecation is almost universal amongst the poorest 20 per cent of India's population and more than 28 million children lack access to toilets in their schools.

It creates a major public health hazard by leaving an estimated 65 million kilograms of waste each day.

Causing a stink: The ad highlights the health benefits of using the loo, and not defecating in public

Giant poos appear before tourists getting off a flight, showing India would not be a nice place if there was too much defecation Mr Poo rears his ugly head on a cricket pitch to deliver his public health message

Children face a huge risk of contracting bacterial infections, with over 44 per cent of mothers disposing their children's waste in the open.

Diarrhoea remains one of the top causes of child deaths in the country, alongside respiratory infections.

With an animated video, a catchy song with 'toilet sounds', and even a smartphone application, the digitally-led campaign is targeted at the country's youth.

UNICEF spokeswoman Maria Fernandez said the campaign uses 'quirky, informative and inspiring language'.



'It also contains humour to better connect with the target audience,' she added. 'Once they [the youth] are exposed to the issue... they will be encouraged to know more.'