The importance of WASH in disasters

The importance of WASH in disasters

Water and sanitation are critical determinants for survival in the initial stages of
a disaster. People affected by disasters are generally much more susceptible to
illness and death from disease, which to a large extent are related to inadequate
sanitation, inadequate water supplies and inability to maintain good hygiene.

The most significant of these diseases are diarrhoeal and infectious diseases
transmitted by the faeco-oral route (see Appendix 4: Water- and excreta-related
diseases and transmission mechanisms). Other water- and sanitation-related
diseases include those carried by vectors associated with solid waste and
water. The term ‘sanitation’, throughout the Sphere Handbook, refers to excreta
disposal, vector control, solid waste disposal and drainage.
The main objective of WASH programmes in disasters is to reduce the transmission
of faeco-oral diseases and exposure to disease-bearing vectors through the
promotion of:
good hygiene practices
 the provision of safe drinking water
 the reduction of environmental health risks
 the conditions that allow people to live with good health, dignity, comfort and
security.

Simply providing sufficient water and sanitation facilities will not, on its own,
ensure their optimal use or impact on public health. In order to achieve the
maximum benefit from a response, it is imperative that disaster-affected people
have the necessary information, knowledge and understanding to prevent waterand
sanitation-related diseases and to mobilise their involvement in the design
and maintenance of those facilities.

The use of communal water and sanitation facilities, for example in refugee or
displaced situations, can increase women’s and girls’ vulnerability to sexual and
other forms of gender-based violence. In order to minimise these risks, and to
provide a better quality of response, it is important to ensure women’s participation
in water supply and sanitation programmes. An equitable participation of
women and men in planning, decision-making and local management will help to ensure
that the entire affected population has safe and easy access to water
supply and sanitation services, and that services are appropriate.

Better disaster response in public health is achieved through better preparedness.
Such preparedness is the result of capacities, relationships and knowledge developed
by governments, humanitarian agencies, local civil society organisations,
communities and individuals to anticipate and respond effectively to the impact
of likely, imminent hazards. It is based on an analysis of risks and is well linked to
early warning systems. Preparedness includes contingency planning, stockpiling
of equipment and supplies, emergency services and stand-by arrangements,
personnel training and community-level planning training and drills.

Personal Hygiene and Handwashing After a Disaster or Emergency

Good basic personal hygiene and handwashing are critical to help prevent the spread of illness and disease. Clean, safe running water is essential for proper hygiene and handwashing.

Hygiene is especially important in an emergency such as a flood, hurricane, or earthquake, but finding clean, safe running water can sometimes be difficult.
The following information will help to ensure good hygiene and handwashing in the event of an emergency.
Before an emergency, make sure you have created a Disaster Supplies Kit.

Handwashing
Keeping hands clean during an emergency helps prevent the spread of germs. If your tap water is not safe to use, wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected . Follow these steps to make sure you wash your hands properly:

    Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
    Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
    Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
    Rinse your hands well under running water.
    Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

A temporary hand washing station Adobe PDF fileExternal Web Site Icon can be created by using a large water jug that contains clean water (for example, boiled or disinfected).

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.

Hand sanitizers are not effective when hands are visibly dirty.
Cupped Hands Under Running Water
When to Wash Hands

Wash hands with soap and clean, running water:

    Before, during, and after preparing food
    Before eating food
    After using the toilet
    After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
    Before and after caring for someone who is sick
    After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    After touching an animal or animal waste
    After touching garbage
    Before and after treating a cut or wound

Other Hand Hygiene Resources

    Food and Water Safety and Hand Hygiene Resources
    Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives

Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, or make ice.
Bathing

Bathing after a water-related emergency should only be done with clean, safe water. Listen to local authorities for further instructions. Sometimes water that is not safe to drink can be used for bathing.
Dental Hygiene

    Brushing your teeth after a water-related emergency should only be done with clean, safe water. Listen to local authorities to find out if tap water is safe to use.
    Visit the Safe Drinking Water for Personal Use page for more information about making your water safe for brushing your teeth.
    You may visit CDC's Oral Health Web site for complete dental hygiene information.

Wound Care

Keeping wounds clean and covered is crucial during an emergency. If you have open cuts or sores, keep them as clean as possible by washing well with soap and clean, safe water to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.