American designer Anna Meddaugh designed a private portable toilet, Night Loo, for women in camps to use at night to avoid unpredictable threats of sexual violence.

Night Loo won the runner-up for this year's James Dyson Award, a portable reusable toilet with absorbent polymer beads that absorb liquids and odors.

Anna Meddaug said: “The situation in the refugee camp can lead to unimaginable problems, and you may have to weigh the possibility of being attacked and raped while going out to the toilet.” Designers say women sometimes even avoid eating or drinking at night. She hopes to find a solution that protects people from harm while maintaining their dignity, practicality and ease of use.

Night Loo is actually a silicone container with the top open like a takeaway box. When the user uses it on the box, the side flaps provide a splash shield. After urinating, the user pours a bag of superabsorbent polymer called Instant Snow. This polymer completely absorbs liquid and quickly turns into a dry powder to eliminate odor. Another feature is that it is flat and easy to clean and transport efficiently, and is more environmentally sustainable than adult diapers.

Currently, Anna Meddaugh is seeking funding and technical support to drive Night Loo's mass production and hopes to work with refugee agencies to distribute it as widely as possible.

（Source: JJgle.com）