The State of Sanitation in Humanitarian Emergencies: A Systematic Review of Global WASH Cluster Needs Assessments Open Access
Wingerter, Conner (2017)
Abstract
Background: Currently, no studies evaluate whether the
emergency sanitation sector is meeting sector standards, as
described by The Sphere Handbook and UNHCR's Handbook for
Emergencies.
Objective: To determine whether the emergency sanitation
sector is meeting minimum standards of best practice, and to also
ascertain the sector's most common challenges and field
recommendations.
Methods: A systematic review was performed of all needs
assessments uploaded to the Global WASH Cluster website between
June 2011 and October 2016. Both quantitative and qualitative key
sanitation data were extracted from assessments, including percent
of population with improved sanitation, percent of population with
total sanitation, number of persons per latrine, mention of the
sanitation needs of special populations, noted challenges, and
noted field recommendations. Descriptive statistical analyses were
performed using Microsoft Excel to understand the state of
sanitation in emergencies globally, and for WHO regions and
individual countries.
Results: Seven-hundred and fifty-seven sites from 25
countries met inclusion criteria. Forty-six percent of sites met
the Sphere Standard for persons per latrine in the non-acute
emergency phase, 67% met the acute emergency phase standard, and
33% failed to meet either standard for persons per latrine. Fifteen
percent of sites met the UNHCR Standard for total sanitation
coverage for the non-acute emergency phase, 31% met the acute
emergency phase standard, and 69% failed to meet either standard
for total sanitation coverage. The two most common challenges were
open defecation (73% of sites), and damaged latrines (27% of
sites). The two most common recommendations were construction of
additional latrines (68% of sites), and sanitation promotion or
campaign (33% of sites). Specific sanitation needs for children was
noted in 7% of sites, and for the elderly was noted in only 2%,
compared to women (44%) and the disabled (31%).
Conclusion: The emergency sanitation sector is not meeting sector standards for most acute and non-acute emergencies, with significant sanitation coverage gaps in several countries. In some instances, certain Sphere and UNHCR standards are not being measured at all. Results demonstrate the need to meet sector standards, and to collect additional emergency sanitation data for a more complete analysis.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND - 1
Standards and Targets for Sanitation in Emergencies - 2
Sanitation Infrastructure in Emergencies - 6
The Global WASH Cluster - 9
METHODOLOGY - 10
Procedure - 12
Methods of Analysis - 15
Protection of Human Subjects - 15
RESULTS - 17
Geographic Representation - 17
Persons per Latrine 19
Total Sanitation Coverage - 21
Improved Sanitation Coverage - 24
Key Sanitation Recommendations - 24
Key Sanitation Challenges - 26
Special Groups - 27
DISCUSSION - 28
CONCLUSION - 33
STUDY STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS - 34
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS - 35
REFERENCES - 37
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