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WASH in Emergencies

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Key points
  • Joint rapid assessment of needs, current level of access, and gaps should be conducted by a team of relevant stakeholders including the users, to the extent possible
  • Do not implement parallel services; to the extent possible, include and build on existing services, facilitate early inclusive delivery of assistance, collaboration and coordination mechanisms among local authorities, service providers, and users
  • Prioritize age, gender and diversity (AGD) sensitive life-saving interventions, and regularly monitor and report on the WASH situation as well as key WASH indicators
  • Integrate environmental considerations in the initial WASH assessment and consider climate and environmentally friendly options to the extent possible
  • Seek the support of and complementarity with other agencies specialized in the area of WASH, including relevant authorities, local service providers and development actors, which can support emergency responses and beyond

Post emergency phase

As per the UNHCR WASH Response Programme Framework above, as the population numbers stabilize or as emergency live-saving standards are met, additional extensions and upgrades are undertaken to align with local standards, targeting at least basic WASH services. In this phase, strong collaboration with development stakeholders and local authorities is paramount, aiming for longer-term inclusion in local systems. Lessons learned and key issues in such a transition by World Bank and UNHCR in Uganda are summarized in this Discussion Paper.

Note: These are not mandatory steps. In some cases, existing infrastructure and systems will already be aligned (or close to) the transition or basic levels. Sequencing is only valid in responses that are not already aligned. Depending on context, emergency responses need to move to basic levels as fast as possible, to avoid health and environmental issues, and boost sustainability of operations of WASH systems.

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