Problems inWater Supply, Sanitation & Hygiene Promotion

Irish Aid photo ICRC photo

2.1

• • • • • • •

Problem 1: : In large scale emergencies, particularly those resulting in mass displacement, there simply isn’t enough water readily available.

FAO photo

What’s wrong with this picture?

If this pump can deliver 2 cu.m. of water per day, how many people can it adequately serve if there is no other source of water available?

Photo - www.lifewater.ca/kardia.htm

A. If you assume 15 l/p/d… 333 people.

Q. Why?

1 metre

1 metre

1 m

etre

1 cube -10 cm X 10 cm X10 cm =1 litre

10 cm 10 cm

1 m3 of water = 1 metric ton

1 litre of water = 1 kg

1 m3 of water = 1,000 litres

1 m3 of water = 1,000 kgs

Problem 2: : In many disasters where enough water is readily available, it isn’t safe to drink.

OFDA photo

All surface water is considered to be contaminated

UNICEF photo

Problem 3: : Emergency water distribution systems, especially for camps, are often badly designed for ongoing, daily use.

Long queues for water are common….

OXFAM photoOXFAM photo

So are constant repairs

Choose the best equipment for a rural emergency camp’s water system from the selection below.

Tap A Tap B Tap C

Water Carrier A Water Carrier B Water Carrier C

Problem 4: :Drainage, Drainage, Drainage!

Camp Hope, June 14, 1999

Camp Hope, June 22 , 1999

Which hectare (A-L) of this site is most suitable for a tent camp, Based on site slope only?

A B C D

I J K L

E F G H

0m 100m 200m 300m 400m

610

620

630

610

610

+ 619

Tree cover

Elevation in2m increments

Building

Paved road

Intermittent stream

River

Marsh

Problem 5: In mass population emergencies involving displacement to crowded areas,people defecate everywhere, quickly contaminating the site.

Problem 6: Garbage piles attract rats and flies which pose serious threats to public health.

Problem 7: Often, even when there are enough latrines provided, they are not used.

MSF photo

Why?

Zimbabwe Mexico

Dominican Republic

VIP latrines are a world-wide standard...

Pakistan

UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

15

in use

Removeable hole cover

Vent pipe

VVentilated entilated IImproved mproved PPit (it (VIPVIP) ) LatrineLatrine

See 7. “Hygienic Toilets”, page 75 in 2004 edition

Fly screen!

Dark inside

Basically -

1. reduce vectors through waste management and site drainage

2. Prevent mosquito bites through provision of bednets

3. Use chemicals only with expert guidance and always with extreme caution

Vector Control

Problem 8: Poor living conditions, lack of adequate water and soap, along with poor utensils and containers lead to recontamination of clean water and food at the household level.

UNHCR photo

What’s wrong with this picture?

Problem 9: The scope, scale, and speed of the emergency situation overwhelms sanitation needs

BBC photo

WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE….• What can be done immediately (hours and days) to

reduce risks of dehydration and disease?

• What can be done in the short - term (days and weeks)?

• What can be done in the medium term (weeks and months)?

• What can be done for the long term (months and years?)?

See the Handout…. “An Emergency Sanitation Problem”

FIRST HOURS AND DAYSWater:Water:• bottled water distributionbottled water distribution• tankering w/ bladder tankstankering w/ bladder tanks• treatment sachets for treatment sachets for

surface water sourcessurface water sources• jerry cans and containers jerry cans and containers

with purifying tabletswith purifying tablets

Sanitation:Sanitation:• Protection of water sourcesProtection of water sources• marked defecation areas marked defecation areas • signage and wardens to signage and wardens to

police sanitation situationpolice sanitation situation• soapsoap

UNHCRUNHCR

FIRST DAYS AND WEEKSWater:Water:• tankering w/ bladder tankstankering w/ bladder tanks• ““hard” tanks & distribution hard” tanks & distribution

systemssystems• jerry cans and containers jerry cans and containers

with purifying tabletswith purifying tablets

Sanitation:Sanitation:• Protection of water sourcesProtection of water sources• marked defecation trenches marked defecation trenches

or communal latrinesor communal latrines• signage and wardens to signage and wardens to

police sanitation situationpolice sanitation situation• soapsoap• education campaigneducation campaign

IFRC photoIFRC photo

OFDAOFDA

FIRST WEEKS AND MONTHSWater:Water:• tankering only to meet gapstankering only to meet gaps• wells where possiblewells where possible• purification systems where purification systems where

neededneeded• ““hard” tanks & extended hard” tanks & extended

distribution systemsdistribution systems• jerry cansjerry cans

Sanitation:Sanitation:• Protection of water sourcesProtection of water sources• family latrines or increased family latrines or increased

numbers of community numbers of community latrineslatrines

• community sanitation teamscommunity sanitation teams• Solid waste disposal systemSolid waste disposal system• soapsoap

IRCIRC

Butyl ProductsButyl Products

MSFMSF

FIRST MONTHS AND YEARSWater:• tankering only to meet gaps• improved wells where possible• purification systems where

needed• maintenance of “hard” tanks &

extended distribution systems• jerry cans

Sanitation:• Protection of water sources• “Soakaways” at water points• family latrines (VIP type)• community sanitation teams• Solid waste disposal system• soap

Butyl Products

Conclusions:CONCLUSION:The water and sanitation sector is so critical to public health that these needs must be addressed competently if humanitarian assistance in any sector is to succeed.

AusAid photo