Emergency Sanitation Research Articles

Emergency Sanitation

The increasing number of natural disasters and other emergency situations must lead to a reevaluation with regards to the supply of essentials for affected people, especially in the field of water and sanitation. Emergency sanitation facilities have to be wisely planned and implemented in time in order to reduce the risks of outbreaks of communicable diseases in shelters or temporary settlements. The presented technical solutions for post-disaster sewage are based on a compact-sized combination of mechanical sedimentation and anaerobic biological wastewater treatment processes. Using different types of prefabricated components, these systems are designed to meet the unique logistical requirements of disaster scenarios. An important “lesson learnt” from past experiences is the need to reduce the wastewater volume from shelters, as transport and space for appropriate treatment are always a limiting factor. The applied wastewater treatment following DEWATS-principles will allow a reduction of BOD and COD of over 90%. In order to accelerate the startup, anaerobic sludge from existing plants will be injected into the reactors. Investment costs are below 5 $ per connected person and the maximum response time after identification of the location in demand until the start of operation is 5 days.

Problems of treatment process selection for relief agency water supplies in an emergency

There is currently limited public information available concerning methods for the selection of appropriate water treatment technologies for application in acute phase emergency water and sanitation responses. Considering the number of available emergency water treatment and supply options, it is speculated that a framework methodology offering guidance in the form of a selection process would offer advantages. This process would relate a defined set of emergency factors to a selection of available water treatment and supply options, described by a basic, but complete, set of technical and operational characteristics. It is suggested that, whilst not a complete process, the proposed framework methodology is sufficient to lead to the identification and selection of appropriate options for deployment. Furthermore the support of critical decision making by a logical framework, could help shape and justify the actions of agencies and workers in the field.

Restoring sanitation services after an earthquake: field experience in Bam, Iran

A powerful earthquake hit the city of Bam in southeast Iran on 26 December 2003. In its aftermath, a number of international relief agencies, including Oxfam, assisted in providing emergency sanitation services. Oxfam's programme consisted of constructing and repairing toilets and showers in villages located outside of the city. In contrast with other organisations, Oxfam opted for brick-work structures, using local materials and human resources rather than prefabricated cubicles. The choice illustrates the dilemmas faced by agencies involved in emergency sanitation: responding to needs in a manner consistent with international standards and offering assistance in a timely fashion while involving beneficiaries. Following a preliminary survey, Oxfam concluded that the provision of showers and latrines, in addition to utilisation of local materials and human resources, was essential for ensuring well-being, empowerment and dignity among members of the affected population, thereby maximising the benefits.

Rapid assessment and priority setting in emergencies

Natural and man-made disasters give rise to many unpredictable events and situations worldwide. The need for comprehensive but rapid assessment in the immediate aftermath of a disaster is often underestimated. Lack of adequate assessment is likely to lead to inappropriate priorities and emergency interventions, which may exacerbate, rather than alleviate, existing problems. This paper is based on research recently undertaken at the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC), in collaboration with major international relief organisations, to develop guidelines for the planning and management of emergency sanitation programmes. The paper addresses the need for rapid, systematic and comprehensive assessment following disasters. The assessment process developed is based on the speedy collection of qualitative and quantitative data on services and facilities, and behavioural data. This information is analysed through comparison with internationally recommended standards or norms, and from this different needs and priorities are identified. Use of the process should lead to rapid appropriate intervention, more efficient resource use and improved public health. Recent field trials of the assessment process have demonstrated worldwide applicability and rapid, accurate identification of priorities. The post-disaster provision of sanitation services and facilities in refugee camps in Africa is given as an example of how this process can be used.

Rapid assessment and priority setting in emergencies

Natural and man-made disasters give rise to many unpredictable events and situations worldwide. The need for comprehensive but rapid assessment in the immediate aftermath of a disaster is often underestimated. Lack of adequate assessment is likely to lead to inappropriate priorities and emergency interventions, which may exacerbate, rather than alleviate, existing problems. This paper is based on research recently undertaken at the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC), in collaboration with major international relief organisations, to develop guidelines for the planning and management of emergency sanitation programmes. The paper addresses the need for rapid, systematic and comprehensive assessment following disasters. The assessment process developed is based on the speedy collection of qualitative and quantitative data on services and facilities, and behavioural data. This information is analysed through comparison with internationally recommended standards or norms, and from this different needs and priorities are identified. Use of the process should lead to rapid appropriate intervention, more efficient resource use and improved public health. Recent field trials of the assessment process have demonstrated worldwide applicability and rapid, accurate identification of priorities. The post-disaster provision of sanitation services and facilities in refugee camps in Africa is given as an example of how this process can be used.

The Oxfam handbook of development and relief

Volume One. Oxfam's approach to development and relief: principles of development and relief work human rights in development and relief work environment and development exploring the context for development and relief work. Appendix: universal declaration of human rights. Focusing on people: gender ethnic group, race and caste childhood age disability. Capacity building for development: social organization institutional development. Volume Two. Production: general aspects of production agriculture fishing trees and forestry small-scale industries. Health and development: background - approaches to health care focusing on people - health needs of specific population groups health care provision financing, planning and evaluating health programmes. Emergencies and development: background - emergencies, conflict and development emergencies deriving from war and armed conflict assessment, co-ordination and consultation in emergencies health and nutrition in emergencies environmental health and physical infrastructure food security, food aid and food distribution in emergencies Oxfam procedures in emergency relief programmes. Appendices: relief items for which local suppliers should be found Oxfam's emergency stores other relief items standard specifications for commonly required relief items Oxfam policy in emergencies Oxfam water supply scheme for emergencies - the water packs Oxfam emergency sanitation unit. Volume Three. Oxfam resources directory for development and relief NGOs: list of countries full details of NGOs official aid agencies, government-funded institutions and consultative group for international agricultural research centres United Nations and intergovernmental organizations selected UK and academic institutions.

More than navel-gazing — guidelines for emergency sanitation and water-supply programmes

Victims of natural disasters and conflict are entitled to our protection and assistance; they also have a right to demand respect and high standards from relief workers. Fine words, or realistic goals for the future?

Establishing water and sanitation programmes in conflict situations: the case of Iraq during the Gulf War.

In armed conflicts, health and technical assessments made before initiating emergency water and sanitation programmes are hardly ever complete and accurate. Obstacles and constraints inherent in the initial assessment phase have an inevitable impact on the selection and ranking of priorities. The emergency phase of a programme calls for short-term objectives: the first activities are already under way as problem identification proceeds. Frequently updated assessments are an integral component of ongoing programmes, so as to ensure continuous readjustment of short-, medium- and long-term objectives and an appropriate response to needs. In this article, as an example, we describe the various stages in assessing water and sanitation problems, first in Baghdad and then in southern and northern Iraq, between February and May 1991. Our aim is to explain the background that led to the implementation of the programme in the Iraqi capital and the provinces.

Technical Brief No.38: Emergency sanitation for refugees

Technical Brief No.38: Emergency sanitation for refugees

Emergency Sanitation Lessons from the 1951 Flood in Kansas

Emergency Sanitation Lessons from the 1951 Flood in Kansas Dwight F. Metzler CopyRight*Presented before the Engineering Section of the American Public Health Association at the Seventy-ninth Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Calif., November 2, 1951. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.42.4.364 Published Online: August 29, 2011

Emergency Health and Sanitation Activities of the Public Health Service During World War II (Public Health Bulletin No. 302)

Emergency Health and Sanitation Activities of the Public Health Service During World War II (Public Health Bulletin No. 302)

Effect of the War on the Distribution of Full-time Local Health Officers

I T is well known that serious civilian shortages of many types of specialized personnel have developed because of the war. The effect on physicians has been especially marked because of the high ratio of medical officers to total strength required by the armed services. Studies have been reported of the effect of the war on distribution of private practitioners.1' 2 Recent pub-lication of a 1945 revision of the Directory of Full-time Local Health Officers 3 has presented an opportunity to analyze the war's effect on another important category of health personnel-the local health officer. The Directing Board 'of Procurement and Assignment Service, early in the war, established a policy of declaring full-time health officers essential in their civilian positions. In spite of this policy, many health officers entered the armed forces. The number of available replacements has been sharply cut because a large proportion of recent medical graduates have been going into military service directly from internships. Some health officers have left local health departments for work in other health agencies, industry, or private practice. Health departments have met the resulting shortage in various ways. In some cases, the services of private practitioners have been secured on a parttime basis. In other instances, two or more health departments have been placed under the supervision of one health officer. Under its program for Emergency Health and Sanitation Activities, the U. S. Public Health Service has detailed a number of its commissioned officers to serve as local health officers. But in many instances, vacancies have simply not been filled, and the health department staff has carried on without a health officer.

Emergency Sanitation Procedures

Emergency Sanitation Procedures

Stream Pollution in the Ohio River Basin: A Symposium: Sanitation Problems Incidental to Floods

In time of flood, public health authorities and municipal and water-works officials are confronted with a variety of emergency sanitation problems that demand immediate attention. It is important t...

Federal Facilities to Expedite Emergency Sanitation Measures

Federal Facilities to Expedite Emergency Sanitation Measures

Sanitary Flood Survey

To the Editor: —The first sanitary flood survey of the Ohio and Wabash rivers was made during the week of April 7, 1913, and is a good example of emergency sanitation. The United States government is better fitted than any of the states to initiate emergency sanitation, and on this account on April 7 the Indiana State Health Commissioner, Dr. Hurty, was notified that a boat survey expedition would start from Louisville, Ky., April 8, and that the government wished representatives of the states of Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois to accompany this expedition. Major James A. Logan, Jr., of the Quartermaster's Department of the U. S. Army chartered a steam packet, the Ed Myer , on which were placed several car-loads of lime in 40-pound sacks, this size being the easiest handled, a large quantity of potassium permanganate in 1-pound cans, several thousand units of typhoid vaccine, several thousand small-pox vaccine