Water, sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH)
Water and sanitation are basic human needs and rights. During and after emergencies, people are at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases. Inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene practices and lack of access to safe water can lead to outbreaks of disease. Provision of proper water and sanitation facilities is also fundamental to maintaining the dignity of displaced people, particularly women, through providing secure bathing spaces, hygiene supplies and private sanitation facilities. During emergency responses, IAF implements water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs that incorporate sanitation and hygiene training. In Kenya, a large segment of the population (65% in ASAL areas) does not have access to clean water and in rural areas 45% of the population does not have access to sanitation facilities. IAF provides safe water through excavation of new and rehabilitation of existing Boreholes, protection of water points/shallow wells, on-site water treatment and distribution, or provision of household water treatment and storage containers, constructs latrines through CLTS and bathing spaces at IDP locations and promotes hygiene through trained volunteers.
Objectives Provide access to a safe, portable and adequate water supply; provide access to basic sanitation facilities; and improve health through basic hygiene practices.
Key Activities:
- Drilling bore holes
- Rehabilitation boreholes
- Providing materials for the construction of household latrines by members of the community through CLTS
- Publishing and dispersing hygiene and sanitation posters
- Holding hygiene and sanitation workshops
- Distributing hand-washing devices and hygiene kits
- Formation and Training of Water User Committees
Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), has been used by IAF with a modified approach that encourages residents to use their own resources, as much as possible, but we provide the construction materials. Our WASH programs have helped to reduce cholera and diarrheal cases in the targeted counties due to increased access to clean portable water and sanitation facilities, including intensive hygiene promotion services.