UNHCR WASH Manual 6th Ed (Feb 2019) PDF

UNHCR
WASH
MANUAL
Practical Guidance for
Refugee Settings
UNHCR WASH PROGRAMME GUIDANCE
© United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva
Sixth Edition February 2019
Any part of this publication, may be copied,

reproduced or adapted to meet local needs, without permission from the author/s
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Please send copies of any materials that have been used to
the UNHCR at the address given below.
UNHCR WASH Manual: Practical Guidance for Refugee Settings

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Case Postale 2500. CH-1211 Genève 2 Dépôt Suisse.
This document is an output from a consultative process with WASH actors active
in refugee settings. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the UNHCR to
verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material
is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The
responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no
event shall the UNHCR be liable for damages arising from its use.
Designed and produced by the UNHCR.
ISBN: 978-2-9701249-0-0
UNHCR
WASH
MANUAL
Practical Guidance for
Refugee Settings
UNHCR WASH PROGRAMME GUIDANCE
Ben Harvey, Murray Burt, Franklin Golay and Ryan Schweitzer
with contributions from: Marian Schilperood, Claudia Perlongo, Francesca Coloni,

Dominique Porteaud, Abdou Savadogo, Sarah House and John Cody
Acknowledgements
UNHCR would like to formally acknowledge the large number of experts and
practitioners who contributed to the development and review of this document.
These individuals include:
 Abdou-Salam Savadogo, Senior Regional WASH Officer, UNHCR Dakar
 Abraham Varampath, Senior WASH Advisor, Save the Children UK
 Allen Gidraf Kahindo Maina, Public Health Officer, UNHCR Geneva
 Andy Bastable, Head of Water and Sanitation, OXFAM GB, Oxford, UK
 Ben Harvey, WASH Consultant, UNHCR Geneva
 Caetano Dorea, Dept. of Civil and Water Engineering, Université Laval
 Claudia Perlongo, WASH Officer, UNHCR Geneva
 David Githiri Njoroge, WASH Officer, UNHCR Ethiopia
 Dominique Porteaud, Global WASH Cluster Coordinator, UNICEF Geneva
 Elizabeth Lamond, Senior WASH Advisor, IRC New York
 Ellen Milnes, Senior Lecturer in Hydrogeology, Université de Neuchâtel
 Francesca Coloni, Senior Regional WASH Officer, UNHCR Tunis
 John Adams, Independent WASH Consultant, UK
 John Cody, WASH Consultant, UNHCR Geneva
 Jola Miziniak, Public Health Advisor, OXFAM GB, Oxford, UK
 Krischan Makowka, Technical Advisor UWASNET, Uganda
 Marian Schilperoord, Chief Public Health Section, UNHCR Geneva
 Marion O'Reilly, Head of Public Health Promotion, OXFAM GB, Oxford, UK
 Murray Burt, Senior WASH Officer, UNHCR Geneva
 Nicholas Brooks, Senior Emergency WASH Advisor, CARE International
 Nicole Hahn, WASH Cluster Coordinator, UNICEF Philippines
 Richard Bauer, Senior WASH Advisor, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oslo
 Roberto Saltori, WASH Focal Point, UNICEF Jordan
 Samuel Gonzaga, Senior WASH Officer, UNHCR Lebanon
 Sarah House, Independent WASH Consultant, UK
 Tom Handzel, Epidemiologist, CDC Atlanta
 Tessa Gough, WASH Emergency Response Program Manager, CARE
 William Carter, Water and Sanitation Officer, IFRC Geneva
 U Aye Muang, Public Health Officer, UNHCR Ethiopia
 Yegerem Tsige, WASH Officer, UNHCR Ethiopia
i
Acronyms and Abbreviations
AAP Accountability to Affected Populations
AGDM Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming
AWD Acute Watery Diarrhea
BCC Behaviour Change Communication
CAT Comprehensive Assessment Tool
CATS Community Approaches to Total Sanitation
CBI Cash Based Intervention
CBO Community Based Organisation
CCCM Camp Coordination and Camp Management
CFU Colony Forming Units
CHW Community Health Worker
CLTS Community Led Total Sanitation
CSP Community Support Projects
DPD Diethyl-P-Phenylene-Diamine
FGD Focus Group Discussion
FRC Free Residual Chlorine
GAD Gender, Age, Diversity
GI Galvanized Iron (Pipe)
GBV Gender Based Violence
GIS Geographical Information System
GPS Global Positioning System
HDPE High Density Poly Ethylene (Pipe)
H&S Health and Safety
H2 S Hydrogen Sulphide
HP Hygiene Promotion
HTH High Test Hypochlorite
HRF Horizontal Flow Roughing Filtration
HWTS Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage
HWWS Hand Washing With Soap
IDP Internally Displaced Person
IEC Information Education Communication
IM Information Management
KAP/KABP Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, Practices
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MF Micro Filtration
ii
Acronyms and Abbreviations
MHM Menstrual Hygiene Management
MPN Most Probable Number
NFI Non-Food Item
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units
O&M Operations and Maintenance
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PE Polyethylene (Pipe)
PH Public Health
PHAST Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation
PLA Participatory Learning and Action
PLWHA People Living with HIV/AIDS
POUWT Point of Use Water Treatment
PSEA Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride (Pipe)
PWD People With Disabilities
QIP Quick Impact Project
RAT Rapid Assessment Tool
RCM UNHCR Refugee Coordination Model
RF Rapid Filtration
RO Reverse Osmosis
RSF Rapid Sand Filtration
RWH Rain Water Harvesting
SAR Solids Accumulation Rate
SSF Slow Sand Filtration
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
TWG Technical Working Group
UF Ultra Filtration (Water Treatment)
UFW Unaccounted For Water
UV Ultraviolet (Water Treatment)
uPVC Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (Pipe)
VLOMM Village Level of Management of Maintenance
VIP Ventilated Improved Pit (Toilet)
WASH Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
WSP Waste Stabilization Ponds
WSP Water Safety Plan
iii
Contents – UNHCR WASH Manual
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. I
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................... II
CONTENTS – UNHCR WASH MANUAL ................................................................... IV
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1
Target audience................................................................................................................... 2
Legal framework and the human rights to water and sanitation ..................................2
Response Phases ............................................................................................................... 3
UNHCR WASH Response Programme Framework ......................................................... 5
1. UNHCR WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES .......................................................... 6
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 6
Terminologies useful for understanding protection and accountability ..................... 7
Principle 1: Consultation, participation and accountability .......................................... 7
Principle 2: Equitable access to WASH ........................................................................... 9
Principle 3: Protection, safety and privacy .................................................................... 10
Principle 4: Menstrual hygiene ........................................................................................ 13
Principle 5: Cross-sector collaboration and coordination .......................................... 15
2. WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS ............................................... 17
Global WASH Strategy ..................................................................................................... 17
Country WASH Strategy ...................................................................................................17
Site WASH Operational Plans.......................................................................................... 18
Common Refugee Sites.................................................................................................... 19
A comprehensive approach to WASH service provision ............................................. 19
Appropriate technology selection, quality and value for money ................................ 20
Integrated programming with a focus on sustainable solutions ................................ 22
WASH interventions in urban settings ........................................................................... 23
Cash based interventions ................................................................................................ 25
Protection of the environment......................................................................................... 26
3. WASH SECTOR COORDINATION ........................................................................ 28
Refugee Coordination Model and WASH Sector Coordination ...................................28
WASH sector coordination implementation arrangements ......................................... 29
Establishment of an Advisory Group ............................................................................. 30
Creation of Technical Working Groups (TWGs)............................................................ 30
Practical Guidance for WASH Sector Coordination ..................................................... 31
Establishment of WASH Sector Strategy and Operational Response Plans ............ 33
Establishment of agreed common Standards, and Indicators .................................... 33
Coordinated sector preparedness and contingency planning ...................................35
Capture and application of lessons learned and sector best practice ...................... 35
4. WASH ASSESSMENTS ......................................................................................... 37
iv
General principles for WASH assessments ..................................................................37
Immediate assessment of WASH needs ........................................................................ 38
Immediate assessment of potential refugee hosting sites .......................................... 38
WASH Assessment Processes and Tools ..................................................................... 40
WASH Assessment Analysis and Reporting .................................................................44
5. WASH MONITORING AND REPORTING .............................................................. 47
Establishment of the routine monitoring of WASH indicators .................................... 47
Monitoring WASH ‘Access Indicators’ using the monthly report card ...................... 48
Monitoring WASH ‘Household Indicators’ using the Standardised KAP Survey ..... 48
UNHCR WASH Indicators and Targets – February 2019 .............................................. 49
Mapping WASH infrastructure......................................................................................... 50
Monitoring the cost effectiveness and efficiency of WASH interventions ................ 50
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 52
v
Introduction
UNHCR has the primary responsibility for coordinating,
drafting, updating and promoting guidance related to water,
sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in refugee settings. This WASH
Manual has been prepared through a process of open
collaboration and discussion in participation with UNHCR's
WASH Officers, UNHCR's sister agencies, and experts and
practitioners from the WASH community.
Introduction ensuring accountability to donors,

1. This manual is one of two beneficiaries and local authorities;
complementary components of 3. The WASH Technical Guidance
the UNHCR WASH Guidance: comes as a set of key documents
a. UNHCR WASH Programme that provide technical guidance
Guidance Manual for water, excreta management,
b. UNHCR WASH Technical solid waste management, disease
Guidance. vector control and hygiene
promotion interventions in refugee
2. This WASH Programme settings with a focus on ensuring
Guidance Manual aims to provide an adequate level of basic
guidance on general overarching services. This collection of key
principles that should be WASH resources aim to present:
considered in all refugee WASH
programmes including: protection, i) A simple overview of WASH
safety and privacy; equitable technical options that are
access to WASH services; suitable for the various
consultation, participation and phases of refugee
accountability; cross-sector programmes including a
collaboration; value for money description of their
and cost effectiveness; advantages, disadvantages;
appropriate technology selection ii) UNHCR‟s policy position
and durable solutions; cash based related to the various
interventions; reinforcing the technical options;
capacity of stakeholders; WASH iii) Where to find more detailed
in urban settings; protection of the UNHCR approved technical
environment; WASH sectoral and design and operational
operational plans; WASH sector information (e.g. design
coordination and contingency drawings, pumping test
planning; WASH assessments; procedures, water network
protection of the environment; design specifications, and
monitoring the effectiveness of KAP survey guidelines).
WASH interventions; and
UNHCR WASH MANUAL | INTRODUCTION 1

4. Where possible the manual has WASH actors, national
been written to complement governmental authorities,
existing WASH technical emergency response coordinating
resources. Some of the core bodies, contingency planners,
documents that are referenced programme evaluators, and any
include: individuals or organisations
 Handbook for Emergencies involved in providing WASH
(UNHCR, 2007) services in refugee settings. The
 Water Manual for Refugee manual is the starting point for
Situations (UNHCR, 1992) any UNHCR WASH Officer or
 Engineering in Emergencies WASH Partner to become
(RedR, 2002) acquainted with UNHCR‟s
 Water and Sanitation for approach to WASH interventions
Populations at Risk (ACF, 2005) in refugee settings.
 Hygiene Promotion: A Practical 7. This manual is relevant for all
Manual (Ferron, Morgan, refugee situations, where UNHCR
O'Reilly, 2007) operates including low-middle-
 Excreta Disposal in Emergencies income and high-income
(WEDC, 2007) countries, emergencies,
 WEDC Technical Briefs (Various) protracted situations, and
 Oxfam Technical Briefs (Various) eventually repatriation or any
 Humanitarian Charter and other durable solution identified.
Minimum Standards in The focus of the manual is on
Humanitarian Response refugees and asylum seekers, but
(SPHERE, 2018) is also relevant and applicable for
 Guidelines for Drinking Water other Persons of Concern (PoC)
Quality 4th Ed. (WHO, 2011) to the High Commissioner for
 Public Health Engineering in Refugees (ie. stateless persons,
Precarious Situations 2nd Ed internally displaced and
(MSF, 2010) returnees).
 Public Health Guide for
Emergencies (John Hopkins and Legal framework and the
IFRC, 2008) human rights to water and
5. Additional technical design sanitation
guidelines, technical operational 8. In 2010 the UN General Assembly
guidelines, and technical and the Human Rights Council
drawings, bills of quantity, explicitly recognized the human
material and construction rights to water and sanitation.
workmanship specifications that These rights are derived from the
are complimentary to the material right to an adequate standard of
in this document can be found on living as stipulated in Article 11 of
the wash.unhcr.org website. the International Covenant on
Target audience Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights and other international
6. This WASH Manual has been human rights treaties. Key
written for use by UNHCR staff, aspects include.
2 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | INTRODUCTION

 Water must be sufficient and Response Phases
continuous to cover personal
UNHCR recognises four main
and domestic uses, which
phases of assistance to refugees.
comprise water for drinking,
washing clothes, food Emergency Phase (0 – 6 months)
preparation, and personal and 10. The definition for the emergency
household hygiene. phase described in the UNHCR
 Water for drinking and Global Strategy for Public Health
domestic uses must be safe (2014 - 2018) is „the period
and acceptable to users. It following a refugee emergency up
must be free from elements to six months after population
that constitute a threat to a movement has stabilized‟.
person‟s health. Water must However, the document notes
also be of an acceptable that this definition should only
colour, odour, and taste to serve as general guidance and
ensure that individuals will not disease outbreaks may constitute
resort to polluted alternatives. a return to the emergency phase.
 Water and sanitation facilities Transition Phase (Medium Term, 6
must be physically accessible months – up to 2 years)
and within safe reach for all 11. With all WASH response
sections of the population, activities there will be a transition
taking into account the needs period during which time WASH
of particular groups, including service provision transitions from
persons with disabilities, emergency life-saving activities to
women, children and elderly. long term cost efficient solutions.
 Water services must be This is the phase where will be a
affordable to all. No individual movement to solutions with
or group should be denied increased household ownership
access because they cannot and improved integration with
afford to pay. existing National WASH service
This Manual aims to ensure that provision structures.
all refugees in all settings are Post Emergency and Protracted
guaranteed their rights to water Phase (Long Term, 2 – 20 years+)
and sanitation as enshrined in this 12. For the purposes of this manual,
important legislative document. the post emergency phase is
9. In 2016 the UN established described as „the period six
Sustainable Development Goal 6 months after population
to „ensure availability and movement has stabilized up to the
sustainable management of water period a durable solution has
and sanitation for all by year been reached and the population
2030. This focus on universal is no longer displaced’.
coverage, „for all‟, means that 13. During the post emergency
Refugees and Persons of phase many refugee situations
Concern must be included in become long term, protracted
National Development Plans for situations. The definition used by
Water and Sanitation. UNHCR for a protracted refugee

situation is described in the mandate, and highlights the need
UNHCR Global Trends (2015) as to focus on improving long term
‘a refugee situation in which cost efficient WASH provision for
25,000 or more refugees of the refugees in protracted situations.
same nationality have been in Durable Solutions
exile for five years or longer in a 14. UNHCR defines three options for
given asylum country’. Based on
durable solutions for refugees
this definition, 6.7 million refugees
which include repatriation to their
were in a protracted situation at
the end of 2015, with an average country of origin (if conditions are
duration of displacement of 26 suitable), integration in the
years. This represents 41% of country of asylum, and
refugees under UNHCR‟s resettlement in a third country.
Figure 1-1 Overview of UNHCR WASH Priorities by Phase

Resettlement
4. DURABLE SOLUTIONS
Integration Integration
Repatriation Resettlement Repatriation
Refugee
Emergency
1. EMERGENCY 2. TRANSITION PHASE 3. POST EMERGENCY &

PHASE PROTRACTED PHASE
0- 6 months Up to 2 years 2 – 20 years ++
Emergency Phase Transition Phase Post Emergency & Protracted Phase

WASH Priorities: WASH Priorities: WASH Priorities:
4 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | INTRODUCTION

UNHCR WASH Response Programme Framework
Time Period Emergency Phase Transition Phase Post Emergency /
Short Term Medium Term Protracted Phase
0-6 months 6 months – 2 years Long Term 2 - 20 years +
Communal Household
Water Target 7.5 – 15 l/p/d Target 15 – 20 l/p/d Target 20+ l/p/d
Supply  Water trucking  Emergency surface water  Borehole source (D304, 305)*
 Emergency elevated treatment plant (EmWat).  Surface source and
tank (D306, D307, D308)*  Jetwells. treatment
 Emergency tapstand (D300)  Temporary piped water  Elevated water tower (D309,
 Bottled water network using Oxfam D310)*
 Aquatabs/PUR/HTH Tanks, PE pipes and  Pipe network
chlorine** tapstands  Tapstand (D301)*
 Jerrycan 10L collapsible  Extension of existing water  Handpump (D302)*
(00096)** network.  Rainwater harvesting
 Jerrycan 20L rigid**  Cash/vouchers  Apartment plumbing upgrades
 Bucket with lid/tap (07071)**  Cash/vouchers
Excreta Target 1:50 (communal) Target 1:20 (shared family) Target 1:5 or 1 per
Management  Trench toilets (D400,401)*  Increase toilet coverage by Household
 Chemical toilets commencing household  Basic pit toilet dome slab
 Elevated desludgeable toilets toilet programme, initially (D402, D403)*
(D405)* with one toilet shared  UDD Toilet (D406)*
 Daily cleaning/ maintenance between four families  Pour flush toilet (D404)*
 Plastic toilet slab** (1:20) and improving to  Apartment plumbing upgrades
 Plastic sheeting (03153)** one per household as  Sewer network
 Latrine digging kits** resources permit.  Desludging/septage treatment
 Cash/vouchers
Hand Target 1 hand wash device  Increase handwashing Target 1 hand wash device
Washing per toilet block promotion at household per HH
 Handwash container 50L with level and ensure each  2L container**
tap and stand** shared family toilet is  Washbasin/sink
 Soap** equipped with appropriate
 Daily refilling/ maintenance handwashing device.
Bath 1:50 (communal) 1:20 (shared family) 1:5 or 1 per Household
Shelters  Bath / shower blocks (D700)*  Increase bath / shower  HH bath/shower cubicle
/ Showers  Plastic sheeting (03153)** coverage (1 per 4 families)  Encourage families to build
 Drainage  Encourage families to build their own facilities.
Soap 250 g/p/month their own facilities. Soap 250 g/p/month
 personal hygiene only Soap 250 g/p/month  personal hygiene only
Soap 250 g/p/month  personal hygiene only Soap 250 g/p/month
 women and girls menstrual Soap 250 g/p/month  women and girls menstrual
hygiene) (01511)**  women and girls menstrual hygiene) (01511)**
hygiene) (01511)**
Hygiene 1:500 Hygiene Promoters 1:500 Hygiene Promoters 1:1000 Hygiene Promoters
Promotion  IEC materials**  IEC Materials**  IEC Materials**
 Hygiene kit**
 Baby kit**
Solid Waste  Rubbish bins (Stockpile)  Transition to long term cost  Transfer / Landfill (D500)*
Management  Collection services/incentive effective community  Household rubbish pits
workers managed or household  Recycling, reuse
 Rubbish pits managed solutions.  Clean-up campaigns
Vector  Indoor residual spraying**  Transition to long term cost  Indoor residual spraying**
Control  Treat pit toilets with chlorine effective community  Rodent control
or insecticide to kill fly larvae managed solutions.
Laundry Soap 200 g/p/month (01511)** Soap 200 g/p/month Soap 200 g/p/month
Facilities  Laundry basin** (01511)** (01511)**
 Drying lines 8mm (06644)**  Transition to long term cost  Laundry slabs (D701)*
effective solutions.  Drying lines (D701)*
Schools  Trench toilets (D400,D401)*  Transition to long term cost  Toilet blocks (D407,D408)*
/ Health  Chemical toilets effective solutions.  Shower blocks
Clinics  Bath/shower blocks (D700)*  Water points / rainwater
harvesting / tanks
* Design included in UNHCR Standard Drawings wash.unhcr.org/wash-technical-designs/
** Item Specification found in UNHCR WASH Standard Equipment Catalogue wash.unhcr.org/wash-equipment-catalogue/

1. UNHCR WASH Protection Principles
Conflict and forced displacement affects different people in
different ways due to their age, gender identity, sexual
orientation, health status, ability, ethnic background, cultural
or political perspective, values, attitudes and other beliefs.
Some people, such as women, adolescent girls, older people,
people with disabilities and people from marginalised groups,
are often less visible, have less power, and less ability to share
their opinions in the community and hence may be less able to
participate as others. They may have differing needs, priorities,
capacities and vulnerabilities, which will affect the way they
can benefit from services and their ability to attain their rights.
Therefore it is important to consider the barriers to their
engagement when designing WASH responses.
Introduction requirements for persons with

specific needs and vulnerabilities.
1. WASH programmes in refugee
settings must take into Principle 3: Protection, safety
consideration UNHCR‟s protection and privacy: Factors to enhance
and accountability principles. protection from violence, safety
These principles are essential for from accidents and privacy
protection of refugees and to considerations are integrated into
create conditions where refugees WASH programmes, designs and
can live in safety and with dignity. services.
Principle 1: Consultation, Principle 4: Menstrual Hygiene
participation and accountability: Management: The needs of
Communities are consulted and women and girls to manage their
participate in the assessment, menstrual periods confidently, in
planning, design, monitoring and privacy and with dignity are
maintenance phases of WASH integrated into WASH responses.
interventions; information and Principle 5: Cross-sector
feedback mechanisms are collaboration: The WASH sector
established to enable continued collaborates with other relevant
community input throughout the sectors to strengthen protection
programme cycle. aspects of the WASH programme.
Principle 2: Equitable access to
WASH: Access to WASH
infrastructure and services is
equitable and considers
6 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

Terminologies useful for persons of concern meaningfully in
key decisions and processes that
understanding protection and impact them, and ensure
accountability transparency by continuous
Protection: Protection communication2.
encompasses all activities aimed
at ensuring the enjoyment, on Principle 1: Consultation,
equal terms of the rights of women, participation and
men, girls and boys of concern to
UNHCR in accordance with the
accountability
letter and spirit of the relevant Principle 1: Communities are
bodies of law (international consulted and participate in the
humanitarian, human rights and assessment, planning, design,
refugee law).1 It includes monitoring and maintenance phases of
interventions by States or UNHCR WASH interventions; information and
on behalf of asylum-seekers and feedback mechanisms are established
refugees to ensure that their rights, to enable continued community input
security, and welfare are throughout the programme cycle.
recognized and safeguarded in
Rationale:
accordance with international
standards. Such interventions will, 2. UNHCR supports rights-based and
amongst others, be deemed to: community-based approaches,
ensuring respect for the principle of which seek to facilitate the
non-refoulement; promoting meaningful participation of people
admission to safety and access to of concern in assessment,
fair procedures for the planning and monitoring processes
determination of refugee status; and, therefore, decisions that affect
upholding humane standards of their lives. Involving people with
treatment; realizing the right to differing needs, priorities,
assistance and services; promoting capacities and vulnerabilities in the
non-discrimination, and the design of WASH programmes has
implementation of durable multiple benefits:
solutions. a. It recognises the value that
Accountability: Accountability to refugees themselves bring to
affected populations (AAP) can be the process and increases
understood as 'an active their well-being and sense of
commitment by humanitarian dignity.
actors and organizations to use b. It contributes to the
power responsibly by taking effectiveness of the
account of, giving account to and interventions as the
being held to account by the involvement of a diverse group
people they seek to assist'. The of refugees means that the
principle of accountability requires final result is more likely to
that humanitarian actors involve meet their needs.
2.
https://emergency.unhcr.org/entry/69409/accountab
1 ility-to-affected-populations-aap
http://www.unhcr.org/4371d8362.pdf
UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES 7

c. It results in an increased sense e. It contributes to increasing
of ownership, satisfaction, and empowerment and equality
improves the level of use and between diverse individuals
responsibility taken for long f. It helps to ensure that more
term maintenance. people can attain their rights
d. Ensuring that every affected and can live healthy, safe and
person can access the dignified lives.
information on their rights, g. If the refugee population is not
entitlements and the good involved in the planning of
behaviours of staff in a way services then the likely
that they can understand, is outcome will be avoidance,
particularly important in misuse or vandalism of the
relation to the Prevention of WASH services and
Sexual Abuse and Exploitation infrastructure.
(PSEA). Table 1.1 below identifies key
actions that support this principle...
A - By stage of the project cycle

Assessment: Collect disaggregated data and information. Make sure that questions are
asked from women as well as men, youth as well as adults. Use the UNHCR registration
process, to identify people who may have other specific needs.
Planning: Involve refugees, particularly women and girls and people with specific needs in
the process of designing WASH facilities and services as soon as people have arrived.
Implementation: Where possible involve refugees in the process of construction of their
own household level WASH facilities.
Maintenance and monitoring: Where possible involve refugees, in the routine maintenance
and monitoring of their own WASH facilities.
B - Throughout the project cycle
1. Use different methodologies (e.g. focus group discussions, household visits) to ensure
inclusion of groups that may be able to speak confidently in public or participate equally
(for example women, adolescent girls, older people or people with disabilities)
2. Ensure assessments, or designing and monitoring exercises have both female and
male staff members, to ensure that women and girls can speak to females.
3. Involve women in the drawing up of distribution lists and in supervising the distribution
process for the distribution of non-food items.
4. Build the capacity and confidence of women, men, adolescent girls and boys to
engage in each stage of the process.
5. Provide information to the affected communities about: the organisations supporting
them; the principles they adhere to; how they expect their staff to behave; the
programmes it is implementing; and what they intend to deliver 3.
 This enables people to be aware if they are being treated differently or inappropriately in
a way that constitutes corruption or sexual exploitation or abuse.
 Communicate in languages, formats and media that are easily understood, are respectful
and culturally appropriate to vulnerable and marginalised groups.
LINK: For useful considerations and tips for the above actions and supporting case studies refer to the UNHCR
WASH, Protection and Accountability Briefing Paper.
3
CHS Alliance, The Sphere Project and Group URD (2015)

Principle 2: Equitable access critical for enhanced protection and
dignity of refugees and in order to
to WASH achieve public health objectives.
WASH facilities must be accessed
Principle 2: Access to WASH
infrastructure, information and services and used comfortably by all
is equitable and considers requirements including children, the elderly,
for persons with specific needs persons with disability and mobility
/vulnerabilities. issues, and persons from minority
social, ethnic and religious groups.
Rationale: Therefore it is important that steps
3. Equitable and universal access to are taken to understand why
WASH facilities and services is sections of the refugee population
Key actions
Prioritise household facilities wherever possible.
2. Involve children and their parents and teachers in identifying NFI needs (potties,
scoops, re-usable cloth nappies, etc) and assessing options for designs for toilets,
bathing facilities and water collection points to suit children4.
3. Work with people with disabilities, their carers, older people and pregnant women
– all of whom may have limitations on their mobility. Proactively involve them in
designing toilets, bathing facilities, water points and clothes washing facilities that they
and other people with mobility limitations can easily access 5. Also involve health staff in
designing accessible facilities in health facilities.
 A range of adaptations may be useful such as increased size in the unit, adding a
cleanable seat, handrails, ramp with resting platforms, larger locks and door widths.
4. Consider different groups when designing hygiene promotion activities (use a variety
of channels, learning methods and media to include people with sight or hearing issues).
5. Consider the needs of different people when distributing non-food items (for
example a fast lane for older people, people with disabilities and other people who may
be particularly vulnerable, may assist collection quicker and more safely)6.
Examples of toilets made accessible for people with disabilities or other mobility limitations
Commode chair with

strap and ring for Handrails for squat Ensuring space for Easy grip door
comfort (Jones and latrine (Jones and turning (Jones and handles (Jones and
Reed, 2005) Reed, 2005) Reed, 2005) Reed, 2005)
LINK: For useful considerations and tips for the above actions and supporting case studies
refer to the UNHCR WASH, Protection and Accountability Briefing Paper.
4
Ferron, S & Lloyd, A (2014) , 5 Jones, H. and Reed, R.A. (2005), 6 Help Age (2015, Pilot version)

may be at risk of inequitable seeing3. The types of violence that
access to WASH services and are of most relevance to WASH
what can be done to ensure WASH include:
facilities and services are a. Sexual violence – Rape,
accessible to all. Furthermore it is assault, molestation,
important that WASH service inappropriate touching
levels also take into consideration b. Psychosocial violence –
levels of access of the host Harassment, bullying, or
population to avoid potential causing fear, stress or shame
conflict and resource competition. c. Physical violence – Beating
Table 1.2 identifies key actions that or fighting leading to injury or
support this principle… death
d. Socio-cultural violence –
Principle 3: Protection, safety Social ostracism, political
marginalisation, social norms
and privacy with negative impacts
5. Safety: In addition, people can
Principle 3: Protection, safety and
also be injured by inadequate
privacy considerations are integrated
into WASH programmes, designs and design or unsafe construction of
services. facilities, such as through sharp
edges, slippery floors, collapsing
Rationale: pit latrines, or contact with
4. Protection: Sexual and Gender hazardous wastes. Care must be
Based Violence (SGBV) refers to taken during WASH facility design
any act that is perpetrated against and construction to adequately
a person's will and is based on protect users from accidents.
gender norms and unequal power 6. Privacy: Privacy is an important
relationships. Some people, such consideration in the design of
as women, adolescent girls, older toilets and bath shelters, and has a
people, people with disabilities and direct link to reduction of SGBV.
people from marginalised groups,
including people who are LBGTI, Table 1.3 describes key actions that
tend to have higher vulnerabilities support this principle.
SGBV, which can also be Table 1.4 lists features of WASH
exacerbated in emergency facilities which can contribute to
contexts. Whilst poor access to feelings of privacy and safety.
WASH is not the „root cause‟ of
violence, it can affect people‟s
vulnerabilities to violence. For
example if women feel that they
have to use facilities after dark or
going to remote areas for washing
their clothes in a river, both of
which increase opportunities for
violence to occur without others
3
House, S. Ferron, S, Sommer, M, and Cavill, S. (2014)

Key actions
1. Consulted and involve refugees in decisions on their needs, designs and locations of
facilities as soon as they have arrived at the site.
 In particular make sure that women and adolescent girls are involved in this process.
It is essential when designing facilities to take into consideration issues related to
privacy, safety and usability in consultation with the users.
2. Involve men and boys in discussions on their feelings of safety and that of their
families when using WASH facilities and involve them in processes to support the
protection of women, girls and boys.
 Boys can also be vulnerable to SGBV and also need to feel safe when using WASH
facilities; and involving them in solutions also has the potential to contribute to
reducing the root cause of violence.
3. Ask for feedback on the „usability‟ of facilities and also „feelings of safety‟, so that
modifications can be made where problems are being faced.
 Whilst asking about „feelings of safety‟ is useful and appropriate, WASH staff
themselves should not be asking about actual incidents of violence or for details of
8
what happened .
 If incidents of violence are mentioned during discussions, the information should be
kept confidential and discretely shared with a protection colleague who will use
standard procedures in line with protection ethics to respond. People can be put at
further risk if incidents of SGBV against them become common knowledge.
4. Prioritise people with specific needs for WASH services. Ask for protection
colleagues to assist with consulting with people from particularly vulnerable groups as to
their concerns and solutions for WASH. In particular request them to discretely consult
with people who are LBGTI to identify any concerns they may have about using WASH
facilities and possible solutions.
 People who are LBGTI or people from other particularly vulnerable or marginalised
groups can face increased risks of discrimination or violence if information about
them is not handled appropriately. Hence it is essential to work with the leadership of
protection colleagues when determining their needs.
 The best solution for most vulnerable groups is likely to be household level toilets and
bathing facilities. If communal facilities are essential then ensure that accessible
gender-neutral unisex toilets are also provided as well as gender-segregated facilities
and that these are in well lit areas.
5. Ensure that WASH facilities comply with national standards in non-camp / urban
settings and that host services are not over-burdened and to reduce risks of conflict over
limited resources.
Important note on the need for more learning across contexts: Much more learning is
needed in the area of what features can make facilities more user-friendly, safer and provide
adequate privacy. Much more consultation, discussion and feedback are needed with the
users; particularly women and adolescent girls but also other users. Please document and
share your learning widely.
7
House, S. Ferron, S, Sommer, M, and Cavill, S. (2014)

Design features
1. Prioritise household toilet and bathing facilities. If not possible then support facilities
shared by a max. of 2-3 families.
2. Communal latrines/ bathing facilities should always be gender-segregated - with
clear signage for women and men.
3. Also support accessible and gender-neutral (unisex) units - if gender-segregated
communal toilet / bathing facilities are supported, it is also good practice to include
several larger wheel-chair accessible „gender-neutral‟ (unisex) units that can be used by
either males or females (suggested at 1:500 ratio). These can be used by people with
mobility limitations, mothers with small children and people who are transsexual who
may face abuse or harassment using gender-segregated facilities.
4. Internal locks - should be included on door for all latrine and bathing units
(communal/shared/household). Doors as & walls should be solid so that it is not easy to
poke holes through the material.
5. Design WASH facilities in a manner that ensures privacy - In particular consult
women and adolescent girls for design of privacy features for toilets and showers, such
as wall heights, appropriate screening, and wall materials selection.
6. Provide lighting options for latrines and bathing units - for both female and male
users so that they can be used during the hours of darkness.
 The ideal situation is for lighting to be provided in all communal areas of camps and
accommodation including bathing units and toilets. Just lighting latrine and bathing
units is another interim solution but challenges can be faced where only female
latrines have been lit with men congregating under the light making females less
willing to use the units. If torches are provided, then a minimum of two should be
provided per family with solar or wind up mechanisms.
7. Design to reduce risk of physical injury - from sharp objects, slipping or the presence
of hazardous wastes.
8. Ensure WASH facilities are located in safe areas – consult on feelings of safety to
establish the perceived safety of different areas.
Figure – Emergency Showers where users installed their own privacy barrier
(Photo credit: Coloni, F/UNHCR)

Principle 4: Menstrual hygiene hygiene management (MHM) often
have a range of taboos associated
Principle 4: The needs of women and with it, some of which are not
girls to manage their menstrual periods problematic, but some that are.
confidently, in privacy and with dignity This includes women or girls
are integrated into WASH responses. believing they must not wash /
bather during part or all of their
Rationale - Menstrual hygiene menstrual cycle as they are fearful
management (MHM)4:
of negative implications (such as
7. Women and girls menstruate for becoming infertile, sick, going
about half their lives, from about insane or dying). A range of
the age of 10 to 19 (menarche) practices or restrictions also exist,
until their late forties or fifties which vary between people of
(menopause). Menstruation is a different backgrounds and cultures.
natural process that is a healthy
part of the reproductive cycle and 9. Comprehensive guidance on
which is central to life itself. But it integration of MHM in existing
is also a process that it almost all programming can be found in the
contexts around the world often Menstrual hygiene in emergencies
leads to feelings of Toolkit.
embarrassment, stress and
UNHCR has made Five
shame. The blood needs to be Commitments to Refugee Women
managed through appropriate
sanitation and hygiene. This One of them is:
means having materials to ‘The provision of sanitary materials to
adequately soak the blood; and the all women and girls of concern will
girl and woman needs access to become standard practice in all
appropriate WASH facilities to UNHCR assistance programs. This is
change menstrual materials, wash central to women’s dignity and health’.
and dry themselves and soak, The commitment is to provide:
wash, dry or dispose of used
 Either absorbent cotton material
materials. Girls and women may (4 sqm/year) or disposable
lose their usual coping napkins (12/month).
mechanisms for managing their  Underwear (6/year).
menses in refugee emergency  Soap (250g/month) – in addition
situations and may have to live in to the general soap distribution to
close contact with male relatives all affected persons.
and sometimes strangers with
limited privacy which adds Table 1.5 identifies key actions that
additional challenges. support this principle.
8. They also need opportunities to
discuss menstrual hygiene and
build their confidence in managing
their menses effectively.
Menstruation and menstrual
4
House, S, Mahon, T & Cavill, S (2012)

Key actions
1. Consult with women and girls on MHM, including with girls and women with
disabilities, and consult with people on their needs and preferences for support.
2. Learn about the practices, norms and beliefs associated with MHM in each
society. This can help to counteract harmful practices and to establish the most
appropriate support.
3. Provide culturally and age appropriate and affordable menstrual hygiene or
incontinence materials.
 Preferences may vary. It is essential to ensure both appropriate types of materials as
well as the required numbers of pieces for a woman or girl to manage their menses
effectively. Materials must be provided per person and not per family and must
consider needs over time.
4. Provide additional non-food items that support the management of
menstruation (such as small buckets and lids, underwear, washing line and pegs
and additional soap11).
 Refer to the UNHCR non-negotiable commitment to women on sanitary protection
materials.
5. Ensure facilities that enable private, dignified and user-friendly changing of
menstrual protection materials. It is critical to ensure that women and
adolescent girls are involved in the design.
 Usability features can include: easy access to water supply; provision of hooks to
hang up possessions to have hands free; inclusion of small shelves on which to put
pads, soap and other items; and the provision of a ¾ length mirror to check for stains
and for dignity.
6. Ensure options are available for the soaking, washing, drying and disposal
of sanitary protection or incontinence materials.
 This may require installing collection buckets in each latrine and bathing unit cubicle,
but it must then have a system for the sustainable and discrete transfer of the
materials to end disposal and training and safety equipment for those handling the
bloody wastes.
7. Provide information and opportunities for girls and women to discuss good
MHM practices and for men and boys to also learn about menstruation and how
to support women and girls.
8. Provide capacity and confidence building for male and female staff, teachers,
health staff and other actors on menstrual hygiene.
LINK: For useful considerations and tips for the above actions and supporting case
studies refer to the UNHCR WASH, Protection and Accountability Briefing Paper.
11
The Sphere Standard is at least 450 grams of soap per person per month (personal hygiene-250g;
laundry/other-200g). Women and girls need an additional 250g per month for menstrual hygiene management.

Principle 5: Cross-sector that can strengthen the work of
other sectors, such as in the
collaboration and coordination provision and management of
Principle 5: The WASH sector co- WASH facilities in schools and
ordinates between agencies and works health facilities; and for others,
with other sectors to strengthen such as the protection sector,
protection, the quality of responses and specialist protection expertise can
to integrate accountability mechanisms help strengthen the WASH
into our work. responses, particularly in areas
Rationale: such as gender, improving safety
10. Many of the services to be and engaging with particularly
provided to refugees and other vulnerable groups.
affected populations require cross- 11. Providing opportunities for and
sectoral knowledge and expertise. listening to feedback, involving
It is essential that WASH actors affected persons in decision-
increase their efforts to coordinate making and enabling them to make
between agencies and collaborate compliments or complaints
across sectors to ensure the most enhances their sense of well-
effective and appropriate services; being, helps them to adapt to the
and in particular to ensure that challenges they are facing and
people from particularly vulnerable better enables them to make an
and marginalised groups receive active role in their own recovery.
appropriate services in a safe
12. Capacity should also be built of all
manner. In some areas the WASH
staff and partners supporting
sector has particular knowledge
Action
1. Coordinate between agencies and collaborate across sectors. See table below
for more details.
2. Build capacity of staff, partners and contractors to be able to implement these
principles.
 In particular make sure that all frontline workers have their capacity built and in
particular they understand the conduct and behaviours that are expected of them and
protection principles to ensure that people are not made more vulnerable through their
actions.
3. Ensure that response-wide feedback mechanisms are in place that are
followed up and acted on.12
 Effective feedback mechanisms enable programmes to receive information on the
effectiveness of interventions as well as offering affected populations the opportunity
to raise concerns and report abuses.
4. Using resources effectively, efficiently and ethically.12
LINK: For useful considerations and tips for the above actions and supporting case
studies refer to the UNHCR WASH, Protection and Accountability Briefing Paper.
12

refugee responses, to ensure that efficient, effective, equitably and
they have the capacity and ethically for ultimate accountability
confidence to be able to implement to the affected populations.
programmes and services in a way Table 1.6 identifies key actions that
that ensures people‟s safety and support this principle.
dignity in line with these principles;
Table 1.7 identifies the areas for WASH
as well as to ensure that resources
sector collaboration across sectors.
are utilised in a manner that is
Areas for collaboration

Community
Services
Registration
Protection
Education
Other sectors for collaboration

Shelter
Site
planning
Health,
Nutrition
and HIV
12

2. WASH Strategy and Operational Plans
Where possible, countries should develop multi-year national
and site level WASH Strategy and Operational Plans to provide
a clear overview of the WASH situation, needs and gaps,
progress against indicators, and a description of the agreed
short-term (emergency), medium-term (transition), and long-
term (post emergency / protracted) plans. The Strategies and
Operational Plans should be linked to the UNHCR Global
WASH Strategy and be developed in a multi-stakeholder
collaborative approach taking into account the UNHCR
principles of refugee protection, value for money, and quality
sustainable solutions, and then reflected in the annual UNHCR
Country Operation Plan (COP).
Global WASH Strategy sector country strategy should

cover the entire refugee caseload
1. UNHCR has a Global Public
including urban, rural and camp
Health Strategy, which includes
situations, and should be used as
the Global WASH Strategy, and is
the basis for developing site
reviewed and updated every five
operational plans. Individual
years. The current strategy may
refugee site WASH operational
be found at wash.unhcr.org.
plans should be included in
annex.
Country WASH Strategy
2. Wherever possible UNHCR 3. The strategy should consider and
together with WASH stakeholders balance the immediate needs for
should develop a multi-year provision of emergency WASH
country level WASH strategy for services at the current
refugees linked to the approaches geographical location where
and principles in the UNHCR refugees are situated, and the
Global WASH Strategy. This longer term need to invest in final
should briefly describe the refugee hosting sites (which may
refugee context, the baseline include co-location with host
WASH situation, WASH community in urban or rural
coverage, WASH gaps, agreed settings, or purpose built camps).
levels of service standards / Where possible, it is normally
indicators, short, medium and better to focus resources on rapid
long-term strategies for water development of long term WASH
supply, excreta management, facilities at the final refugee
solid waste management, hygiene hosting sites and accelerating the
promotion and disease vector relocation process, and to
control. The refugee WASH minimise allocation of resources
UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS 17

at the short term temporary sites short, medium and long-term
to provide only emergency life- plans for WASH facilities and
saving assistance. services, and will map out the
4. Preparation of the country level operational activities and
refugee WASH strategy should be resources required to achieve the
carried out in full collaboration plan. The plan is best developed
with all the active WASH in the form of a 4W Matrix that
stakeholders. A template for a clearly describes WHERE,
country level refugee WASH WHEN, WHAT, WHO and HOW
strategy can be found at MUCH it will cost. This can then
wash.unhcr.org. be used for multi-year planning
and budgeting purposes, and
Site WASH Operational Plans reflected in the annual UNHCR
Country operation plan (COP). A
5. Wherever possible, UNHCR and template for a site level refugee
WASH stakeholders should WASH Operational Plan and
develop multi-year, site WASH Budget is provided below.
Operational Plans describing the
Box 2.1: Example Template for (4W Matrix) Site WASH Operational Plan and Budget
18 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS

6. It is critical to make rapid informed iii.) Camps, Settlements/Rural
decisions about the long term Villages, Apartments/Houses
WASH masterplan for any new Urban Cities/Towns – refugee
site, based on comprehensive residence timeframe (months
assessment information. If these – years).
decisions can be made and Currently 25% of refugees are
clearly communicated to all hosted in managed camps, 60%
stakeholders within the first six are in co-hosted with local
weeks of site selection, so that all communities in urban towns or
short and medium term cities, and 15% are co-hosted
operational response activities fit with local communities in rural
within the framework of the long villages.
term WASH masterplan, then this
will lay the foundation for
successful and efficient provision
A comprehensive approach to
of WASH services for the life of WASH service provision
the site. Ensuring a comprehensive mix of
7. The Operational Plan should hardware, software and the enabling
focus on progressively improving environment
the access indicators and moving 10. UNHCR and WASH actors
as rapidly as possible from should ensure that all post-
emergency communal sanitation emergency WASH programmes
facilities towards individual are planned based on a
household facilities. comprehensive mix of hardware,
software, and enabling
Common Refugee Sites environment interventions. In
general UNHCR and WASH
8. Refugee responses commonly
actors should ensure that the
involve a wide number of sites,
same amounts of energy and time
which will be developed for
that are invested into building
different purposes, and operated
WASH hardware (e.g. pumps,
over different timeframes. It is
pipes, toilets, showers etc.) is also
important to plan appropriate
invested into maximising the
WASH responses within all the
health benefits of this
differing refugee sites.
infrastructure through hygiene
9. Typical site typologies and promotion. In addition, the same
associated timeframes of refugee amount of energy and time should
accommodation include: be invested to ensure that the
i.) Entry Point / Way Point – WASH infrastructure is
refugee residence timeframe ( sustainably managed by local
hours – days) service providers, or local
ii.) Transit Centre / Reception communities with limited
Centre / Collective Centre – assistance from UNHCR.
refugee residence timeframe Protection and accountability
(days – weeks) should be considered throughout
(see Chapter 1 for more details).

11. In all settings, UNHCR and Appropriate technology
WASH actors should prioritize
investments in the capacity of the selection, quality and value
refugee population to manage for money
their own WASH programming
Transitioning into efficient WASH
and to facilitate sustainability,
operations as early as possible
resilience, and eventually
independence which can serve 13. Emergency phase WASH
the eventual return process. interventions, in particularly water
Enabling environment trucking, toilet desludging, and
interventions that are suitable in operating and maintaining large
the post-emergency phases communal WASH blocks, can be
include: very costly and inefficient. Clear
strategies should be developed
 Demand-led approaches (e.g. from the start that include
marketing for improved transition to more efficient and
sanitation) sustainable technologies.
 Establishing and supporting the Solutions should be selected to
local WASH private sector (e.g. reduce dependence on imported
supporting handpump spare equipment, chemicals and spare
parts markets, local sanitary parts, fuel supplies, or staff with
artisans, local drillers, local specialised skills not available
producers/distributors of locally. Examples of low-cost and
sanitary wares including toilets, appropriate technologies for
toilet slabs, showers, plumbing refugee settings include solar,
accessories etc.) wind or ram pumping, rainwater
 Institutional strengthening (e.g. harvesting, spring captures,
capacity building of local gravity-flow roughing filtration,
WASH service providers or gravity flow piped networks (for
regulatory authorities). both water and wastewater),
12. The site WASH plan/strategy household UDDT toilets,
should clearly describe the short, greywater reuse, solid waste
medium and long-term strategies recycling and reuse.
for ensuring holistic and 14. The general theme in any WASH
comprehensive WASH programme should be to move
interventions that address away from communal sanitation
hardware, software and the facilities towards household
enabling environment, and the owned and managed sanitation
arrangements for WASH facilities as quickly as possible
integration with other sectors as (toilets, showers, laundry areas,
well as protection and rubbish pits). Alternatively, if it is
accountability to affected clear that the emergency will last
populations. for at least six months it may be
appropriate for programmes to
start directly with household
facilities. Overall, the increased
level of ownership at the

household level increases refugee operated and maintained by local
protection, satisfaction, feelings of WASH service providers or
dignity, and sense of ownership refugees with limited assistance.
for ongoing operation and In all cases, programmes should
maintenance, and reduced cost make use of locally available
for the operation. equipment, materials and spare
15. Wherever possible refugees parts. All consumables should be
should be involved in the design readily available in-country.
and construction of their own Evaluating WASH technologies
WASH facilities at the household based on total lifetime costs
level, particularly women, girls 18. Technology should be selected
and people with specific needs. If taking into account total life-cycle
it is possible to go directly for costing over a period of 15-20
household level sanitation years (average lifespan of a
facilities at the start of an refugee camp) and encouraging
emergency response then this the use of technologies that may
should be the preferred option. have higher up front capital costs,
Otherwise a progressive move but lower long term operations
from „communal‟, to „shared and maintenance costs. Select
family‟ and then finally to the best quality technology with
„individual household‟ level the lowest life cycle cost. For
sanitation facilities should be example solar/wind power for off-
planned from the start. grid water pumping has the
16. Generally water supply facilities benefit of affordable operation
will be more effectively owned and maintenance costs and
and managed at the communal additional environmental benefits.
level, but where appropriate may 19. WASH programmes should also
move towards provision of track the ongoing per-beneficiary
individual household connections costs of supplying WASH services
for an increased level of service. on an annual basis. Small
Selecting WASH technology based changes in how WASH staff,
on local technical and financial vehicles and resources are
conditions managed can yield enormous
17. Ensure that all post-emergency cost-savings. This may include:
WASH hardware is appropriate  The cost of water supply (cost
for the local technical and per m3 and per refugee)
financial conditions. Designs  The cost of sanitation and
should reflect the norms and hygiene services (cost per
traditional practices of the refugee person per year)
and local population and the UNHCR WASH Technical Design
privacy and safety needs of Quality Standards and Guidelines
women, adolescent girls, children
20. All WASH activities within
and particularly vulnerable
refugee settings should be
groups, whilst respecting public
undertaken in accordance with
health best practice. Technologies
the UNHCR WASH Technical
should be simple enough to be
Design Guidelines and Quality Bank and other relevant
Standards (see wash.unhcr.org). development partners.
These technical design standards 23. Ensure, where possible, that
and guidelines, present the most WASH programmes are
commonly constructed WASH developed and run in full
facilities and provide detailed collaboration with the local water,
drawings and quality waste, hygiene and vector control
specifications to which the service providers and regulatory
facilities should be constructed. authorities, extending existing
21. WASH items procured should be services to refugees where
in compliance with the UNHCR possible.
WASH equipment quality 24. Ensure that where possible
standards as defined in the refugee WASH interventions build
UNHCR WASH Equipment on and support existing local
Standard Specifications markets with minimum distortion.
wash.unhcr.org/wash-
equipment-catalogue/ 25. Ensure that national standards
for water supply, water quality,
Integrated programming with sanitary codes, and
environmental measures and
a focus on sustainable monitoring are respected. Where
solutions national standards exist they
should take precedence over
WASH and SDGs
UNHCR standards, unless
22. Sustainable Development Goal 6 exceptions are agreed.
targets “Sustainable access to
water and sanitation FOR ALL”, 26. Ensure that all post emergency
with a focus on Universal phase WASH programmes are
Coverage, which means that accompanied with adequate
Refugees and Persons of capacity building to facilitate
Concern must be included in eventual handover.
National Development Plans for 27. Ensure that programmes
Water and Sanitation. SDG 6 prioritize the development of
therefore becomes key to WASH related skills which can
unlocking development funding serve the refugee population
for improving WASH service during eventual return,
provision to refugees in protracted integration, or resettlement.
situations. UNHCR is therefore
Handing over responsibility for
encouraging national
WASH services
governments to integrate refugee
WASH services with national 28. Wherever possible UNHCR
systems and to include refugees should work towards integrating
in development planning and WASH services with existing
funding. To this end UNHCR national WASH management
works in collaboration with UNDP, structures. This may include
UNHABITAT, UNICEF, World management by Government,
WASH Utility Companies, or local

Community WASH User Groups. WASH interventions in urban
UNHCR and WASH actors should
ensure that WASH infrastructure settings
is sustainable, cost-efficient, 30. Currently 60% of refugees
affordable, easily operated, globally are hosted within urban
maintained and repaired using environments, and this
locally available resources and percentage is likely to increase in
expertise. In addition, UNHCR the future. Housing options
and WASH actors should ensure depend greatly on the context but
that the technical, managerial, are likely to include renting,
financial, administrative and collective centres, staying with
logistical capacity of the potential host families, or informal housing
organisation is sufficient to take within public (or private) buildings
on responsibility for running the or land. An influx of refugees into
WASH services. Any transfer of an urban environment can quickly
WASH service provision should overburden municipal WASH
be carried out slowly and carefully services leading to water
with constant monitoring and shortages, increases in open
support. Once WASH services defecation, waste dumping,
are handed over, work with contamination of water supplies
national regulatory authorities to and conflicts over WASH
ensure that the quality of services resources. It is therefore essential
continues to be carried out to that the full range of water supply,
defined standards. excreta management, solid waste,
Charging for WASH service hygiene promotion, and disease
provision in long term settings vector control interventions
covered by these WASH
29. In protracted refugee situations, if
guidelines is provided. In urban
income generation and livelihoods
displacement settings, WASH
are possible for the refugees then
interventions may be required for
UNHCR and WASH actors may
both the host and refugee
consider developing equitable
populations to bring WASH
tariff structures for WASH
service provision back to levels
services in line with national and
experienced before the
local norms. Prior to introduction
displacement crisis and must
of tariffs for WASH services, an
consider protection and
„ability to pay‟ and „willingness to
accountability of both refugee and
pay‟ survey should be undertaken
host communities.
to determine the ability and
willingness of the refugees to pay 31. Provision of WASH services for
for services, and therefore to refugees in urban settings can be
determine the likely success of significantly more complicated
the tariff system. than in camp-based settings as it
is harder to provide structured
and timely WASH assistance in a
dispersed setting. Moreover,
monitoring is harder and also

evaluating the impact of the families that have congregated on
WASH response can be more public land, or in collective
complicated. In addition, many centres, refugee families that are
problems with poor WASH service staying with hosts, and blanket
delivery in the urban setting may WASH interventions for both the
be chronic, existing prior to the refugee and host populations in
refugee situation. In some cases, areas that are generally heavily
WASH services and conditions for impacted by the newly arrived
the resident urban poor may be population. As a minimum
worse than for the newly arrived UNHCR core WASH indicators
refugee population. including per capita water
Overburdening of WASH services consumption, water quality, safe
by a refugee influx affects both toilet access, household water
the refugee and host population storage capacity and access to
and the WASH needs of both soap and sanitary protection
groups may need to be materials, must be fully evaluated
reinforced. for all groups. Following the
32. UNHCR and WASH actors evaluation phase UNHCR and
should ensure that efforts are WASH actors should draft clear
made to differentiate the different short, medium and long term
WASH needs of refugee families WASH strategies for each of
in rental accommodation, refugee these groups.
Table 2.1 Types of WASH interventions in Urban Settings

WASH assistance for refugee WASH WASH WASH assistance to both
families in urban settings assistance for assistance for the refugee and host
congregated in public (or refugee families refugee population in urban
private) buildings, land, or in urban families in districts where the
collective centres settings in urban settings refugee influx heavily
rented living with host inundates the local
accommodation families population
Activities must be carried

out as much as possible
through existing national
WASH service providers.
Note: Provision of WASH assistance for families that are renting or staying with hosting families (i.e. WASH NFSs,
water vouchers and construction materials for sanitation upgrades) should be prioritized according to UNHCR
vulnerability criteria.

Working with urban municipal include WASH items including:
authorities hygiene kits; water and desluding
33. Where necessary, work with vouchers; and possibly a
municipal authorities to identify household upgrade packages that
suitable buildings and public may be used for improving
spaces that can be safely and household sanitation, water
adequately occupied by urban supply, or water storage. If the
refugee families. Undertake refugees are to be located in
WASH assessments to determine collective centres, generally, the
upgrades that are necessary so Shelter sector will take
that buildings or land meets responsibility for ensuring
UNHCR minimum WASH humanitarian shelter standards
requirements. Before undertaking are met in terms of building
any works there must be a clear conditions (structural stability,
agreement describing rights, safety, earthquake resistance,
duties, ownership and sealing, weather protection,
responsibilities in place with the roofing, windows, partition walls,
landowner. ventilation, winterization, electrical
wiring, access, damp, noise) and
CASH Based Interventions
WASH will ensure that there are
34. Cash based interventions are adequate water supply, excreta
particularly useful for refugee management, bathing, laundering,
WASH programming in urban solid waste, wastewater, hygiene
settings where the refugee and disease vector control
population is dispersed among services. UNHCR and WASH
the general population. Voucher actors should ensure that close
schemes can be established for coordination is also carried out
purchasing potable drinking during the assessment and
water, hygiene supplies, or toilet shelter identification stages to
upgrading or desluding services. ensure that refugee sites are
More guidance for cash based selected based on the feasibility
interventions can be found at of providing on-going WASH
wash.unhcr.org and in the services.
references.
Coordination with the shelter sector Cash based interventions
35. In urban settings, the WASH 36. Where appropriate refugee
response is closely dependent on WASH programs should use
the Shelter sector to identify the Cash Based Interventions (CBIs)
types of accommodation that are to stimulate existing WASH
being planned and exactly where markets and empower refugees to
and when the refugee persons of determine their own WASH
concern will be accommodated. In needs. Voucher schemes may be
addition, the Shelter programme established for the topping-up of
will typically establish a refugee hygiene related non-food items
financial and material support (e.g. voucher schemes for market
package to match each of the purchase of soap, buckets, bowls,
settlement options which should
sanitary products, water treatment from WASH interventions must be
products, or menstrual hygiene considered from the outset of a
items). Cash based interventions refugee emergency. Failure to do
are particularly useful for refugee so can have widespread
WASH programming in urban ramifications and prove costly to
settings where the refugee address. Preventative and
population is dispersed among mitigation measures are far more
the general population. Voucher cost-effective than remedial
schemes can be established for actions. Environmental measures
purchasing drinking water, water must be budgeted from the start.
tanks, hygiene supplies, plumbing Respect of local sanitary codes and
services, toilet upgrading or national environmental legislation
desludging services. More
39. In all settings, local sanitary
guidance for cash based
codes and environmental
interventions can be found on
legislation related to water,
wash.unhcr.org, and in the
wastewater, excreta, blackwater,
UNHCR WASH and CASH
sewage, solid waste, vector
Review Document in the
control must be respected. During
references.
short term emergency responses
Protection of the environment it may be possible to negotiate
with national authorities for
37. Poorly managed WASH activities relaxation of sanitary codes and
in refugee settings can potentially environmental standards. In
have an extremely negative cases where national sanitary
impact on the environment. The codes and environmental
major environmental risks from legislation do not exist then the
WASH programmes are related to minimum guidance provided in
pollution and degradation of the this UNHCR document must be
environment from poorly met. WASH programmes should
managed excreta, greywater, be designed and monitored in
solid waste, and disease vector close collaboration with local
control related activities. In regulatory authorities. All
addition over-exploitation of environment related rules,
fragile water resources may lead regulations and norms should be
to rapid depletion with irreversible clearly communicated to the
impacts on water reserves or refugee population.
fragile ecosystems. Finally,
Environmental impact assessments
unsustainable procurement of
wood or burned bricks for toilet 40. Where feasible, refugee sites
construction may present a large should complete a WASH related
environmental risk particularly in environmental impact assessment
locations where sustainable that includes at a minimum:
supplies of wood are in limited  An assessment of
supply. environmental related risks at
38. In all cases short, medium and each stage of water supply,
long-term environmental impacts excreta management,

greywater disposal, solid waste found on wash.unhcr.org
management, and disease including a WASH related
vector control. The risks should environmental impact assessment
be ranked according to an template.
assessment of their likely Site Closure
probability and impact.
42. Where there is requirement for
 A matrix of short, medium and
site closure all WASH facilities,
long-term mitigation measures
especially toilets and solid waste
to address the WASH related
disposal facilities should be safely
risks identified as having both
decommissioned safely, and
“high impact” and “high
environmental restoration work
probability”.
carried out. Refer OG-
 A matrix of environmental
800/2015a UNHCR WASH
monitoring parameters (along
Guidelines on Camps Closure
with their means of verification,
(UNHCR, 2014)
monitoring frequencies, and
http://wash.unhcr.org/wash-
target thresholds) to measure
refugee-guidelines/
WASH related risks identified
as having both “high impact”
and “high probability”.
 A checklist of emergency
corrective actions to be carried
out if the environmental
monitoring programme
identifies parameters that
exceed their target thresholds.
 An overview of national
environmental legislation
related to water supply, excreta
management, greywater
disposal, solid waste
management, and disease
vector control; along with how
they are being addressed.
41. Overall preparation and
monitoring of the WASH
environmental impact assessment
and action plan is the
responsibility of the WASH
programme however the activities
should be undertaken in close
collaboration with UNHCR‟s
environmental stability and
management specialists and
national environmental monitoring
authorities. More details can be

3. WASH Sector Coordination
WASH sector coordination is an essential activity in all refugee
settings to ensure there is a united and common approach to
providing WASH services to the refugee population. Refugee
WASH sector coordination includes ensuring that there is a
common WASH strategy; harmonized assessment of WASH
needs; avoidance of gaps and duplication; definition and
application of appropriate technical standards; joint
mobilisation and allocation of resources; building of capacity;
monitoring of performance; combined advocacy efforts; joint
information sharing; joint preparedness and contingency
planning; and to ensure there is capture and application of
lessons learned and sector best practice.
Refugee Coordination Model cluster mechanism has been

activated and refugees are a part
and WASH Sector of a much larger response then
Coordination UNHCR will undertake
1. UNHCR is ultimately responsible coordination of the WASH
for ensuring there is effective activities in the refugee settings
WASH sector coordination in all and will ensure that the refugee
refugee settings. In 2013, UNHCR situation is represented at the
has defined the Refugee wider coordination meetings.
Coordination Model (RCM) which 2. It is important to understand the
outlines UNHCR's role and difference between: a) “WASH
responsibilities in refugee Sector” Coordination during a
operations and mixed refugee response, which is
displacement situations and has always the responsibility of
been built on UNHCR‟s best UNHCR together with the host
practices from the field in government, but may be
particular interaction with the delegated by UNHCR to other
Cluster system. A clear actors; and b) “WASH Cluster”
explanation of UNHCR‟s refugee Coordination which may be
response coordination model in declared during a natural (or man-
mixed settings and the interface made) disaster, disease outbreak
with broader humanitarian and/or IDP response, which is the
coordination structures and the responsibility of UNICEF, as
IASC cluster system can be found Cluster Lead Agency, together
in the briefing document in the with the host government, under
references section and the IASC Cluster mechanism, but
wash.unhcr.org. In the context of which may also be delegated by
a complex emergency where the UNICEF to other actors. It is
28 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION
important to understand and use ministries run by the refugees
the correct terminology. themselves. Whatever the
3. WASH sector coordination is an
structure adopted, it must be
essential activity in all refugee flexible enough to suit all stages
settings to ensure there is a of the response e.g. expanding
united and common approach to during intensive relief activities
providing WASH services to the and scaling back during
refugee population. This includes protracted phases.
a common WASH strategy, a 5. A key element of the UNHCR
coordinated and harmonized Refugee Coordination Model is
baseline assessment of WASH that sector coordination,
needs, avoidance of gaps and whenever possible, should be led
duplication, definition and by Government line ministries
application of appropriate and/or (co)chaired by UNHCR
technical standards, common and/or (co)chaired by one of
mobilisation and prioritisation of UNHCR partners through a
resources, building of capacity, standby-arrangement. If WASH
monitoring of sector performance, coordination mechanisms already
joint advocacy, sharing of exist then the UNHCR must
information, and a common long ensure that coordination is
term vision. In addition, the supported, reinforced and
refugee WASH Sector lead is functioning effectively - avoiding
responsible for ensuring there are creating parallel structures.
common inter-sectoral strategies 6. During large emergencies a
and information sharing between decision may be taken by UNHCR
WASH and the Health, Shelter, Senior Management to mobilize
Education, Livelihoods, Protection arrangements for rapid refugee
Nutrition, Site Planning and WASH sector coordination which
Community Based Protection includes a dedicated refugee
Sectors. WASH sector coordination focal
point, Information Manager, and
WASH sector coordination resources for coordination either
implementation within UNHCR or a partner
arrangements organisation. If standby
arrangements are not activated,
4. Appropriate refugee WASH UNHCR Senior Management
Sector coordination arrangements must ensure that effective
will depend on the scale, phasing, coordination of the refugee WASH
and anticipated duration of the response is taking place at the
refugee situation. Other factors to national, sub-national and site
consider include government, UN levels. Depending on the
and NGO response capacity and coordination arrangements, the
the presence and effectiveness of refugee WASH sector
existing coordination coordination focal point may be
mechanisms, including hosted at either UNHCR, or within
committees or temporary national government authorities (if
UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION 29

a co-leadership arrangement of Establishment of an Advisory
sector coordination is
established). Group
10. In large refugee emergencies a
7. In refugee responses WASH
Refugee WASH Advisory Group
sector coordination is likely to be
should be established to ensure
required at two levels:
that there is an element of
a. National Level: primarily democratic and transparent
country level strategic planning decision making on behalf of
and decision making, liaison, WASH actors. The Advisory
information sharing and Group is able to share some of
reporting into broader multi- the coordination workload in
sector refugee coordination particular the responsibility for
platforms. decision making. An Advisory
b. Sub-National / Site Level: Group is essential to be able to
coordination for planning and demonstrate that critical or
response activities within the influential decisions have been
region or at specific refugee made by a group of persons
sites. rather than a single individual.
The importance of dedicated The steering or Advisory Group
coordination personnel and size should generally be managed
resources to ensure the balance between
the need for rapid decision
8. In large refugee emergencies
making and effective
WASH sector coordination may
management, and the need for
be required at the national, and
broad participation. The group
sub-national / site level. UNHCR
should aim to represent all major
senior management should
stakeholders including national
ensure that resources are
WASH actors and sub-national
available to make sector
WASH sector leads.
coordination work from the start of
the refugee emergency through
the appropriate allocation of Creation of Technical
resources for WASH coordination Working Groups (TWGs)
staff and Information Managers. 11. Technical, working, or sub-
9. The role of the refugee WASH groups are useful in producing
sector coordination focal point is technical guidelines, analysing
to facilitate a well-coordinated and problems, resolving concerns,
effective humanitarian response and formalising principles and
to a refugee situation. At all times responsibilities. Consensus is
the refugee WASH sector more easily achieved within a
coordination focal point should act smaller group. To establish a
in the best interest of the refugees TWG, a focal point should be
and the WASH sector as a whole elected with responsibility for
rather than his or her own establishing the group, defining
organisation. the ToR, and feeding back on
their activities and

recommendations to the wider local authorities with strong
sector group. support from UNHCR.
12. A TWG‟s life-span should be Establishment of a programme of
determined by its purpose and refugee WASH coordination
deliverables. Once the purpose meetings
and deliverables have been 14. Coordination meetings at the
achieved it is better to dissolve national, sub-national / site levels
the group rather than have many are essential for leading the
smaller groups that continue to response planning, monitoring
meet without clear objectives. progress, and communicating
Membership of TWG‟s should be information. It is essential that the
through voluntary self-selection, refugee WASH sector lead
and special expertise may be co- ensures effective and efficient
opted as required. coordination meetings are taking
place that are productive and do
Practical Guidance for WASH not waste time.
Sector Coordination 15. To this end, ensure that refugee
Immediate establishment of sector WASH meetings have clear
coordination arrangements agendas, and any action points
13. Refugee WASH sector are clearly documented. The
leadership and coordination is an interval between meetings should
essential activity that is ideally be changed to meet the needs.
commenced during the Assessment of needs and gaps
contingency planning process 16. Harmonized WASH assessments
prior to any refugee emergency. are an essential activity in every
And must be in place immediately refugee setting to identify the
at the onset of any refugee locations of the most affected
emergency. The provision of sections of the population, their
basic coordination activities (for coping mechanisms, public health
example establishing a regular related risks and the most urgent
time and place for WASH WASH interventions that are
organisations to meet and share required. Coordination is essential
information) is better than delayed to ensure that where possible
provision of improved systems. If WASH agencies use harmonized
WASH coordination mechanisms data collection tools, indicators
for refugees already exist at and common operational datasets
National or Sub-national level (e.g. common names, population
then ensure that coordination is sizes, administrative boundaries).
supported, reinforced and Use of harmonized tools and
functioning effectively - avoiding approaches means that a
creating parallel coordination common analysis of WASH needs
mechanisms. Where possible, and gaps can be developed
WASH coordination arrangements through sharing of assessment
should be co-chaired by the information and analysis
national government or relevant resources. It is essential that all

Adapted from the WASH Cluster Coordinator Handbook (GWC, 2009)

assessment teams include both Establishment of agreed
female and male members so that
women can speak to women common Standards, and
during the process. See Chapter Indicators
4 for more information. 19. Refugee WASH actors must
agree and use common WASH
Establishment of WASH standards and indicators for the
Sector Strategy and refugee WASH response. The
UNHCR WASH Standards and
Operational Response Plans Indicators are listed at
17. UNHCR and WASH actors wash.unhcr.org/wash-
should ensure that coordination indicators/. The short term
efforts lead to the creation of emergency standards and
common refugee WASH Strategy indicators are derived from
and Operational Plans at the SPHERE, while the post
national, and sub-national / site emergency standards and
levels. This is essential so that indicators are designed for a
WASH actors (including donors) higher level of service for longer
are able to understand, contribute term protracted situations.
to and budget for both the
immediate activities and the long 20. Where possible post–emergency
term vision for WASH service / protracted WASH Standards
provision. It is also essential to should be aligned with National
agree common approaches for Standards, or existing service
levels of service provision, levels within the surrounding host
appropriate technology / community.
approaches, value for money, and Establish common Indicator
protection considerations (refer to monitoring (WASH Monitoring
section 2 for more details). System)
18. The 4W Matrix (WHERE, WHEN, 21. Reporting on the refugee WASH
WHAT, WHO, HOW MUCH) sector‟s needs, progress
should become the heart of the indicators and gaps is essential
operational response plan, and so that stakeholders inside and
should be used to lead and guide outside of the sector are aware of
the response. The plan will show WASH service coverage,
the overall masterplan of WASH resource availability, and
activities planned in the short, implementation progress towards
medium and long term, and will defined targets. In many cases,
show operational gaps where new common reporting is vital to
partners can step in to implement mobilize additional resources and
activities, and can also be used to raise awareness of key problems
monitor progress of partners on (particularly lack of funding). In
the agreed activities. every refugee setting the WASH
Sector lead must ensure that they
have the capacity to collate,
analyse and report on collective
progress and outcomes.

Regardless of whether they are constructed should be mapped
bilaterally funded or funded by and the information fed into the
UNHCR, all WASH agencies UNHCR asset mapping systems
working in refugee settings must (eg. UNHCR Borehole database,
report their activities to the and camp mapping GIS platform).
refugee WASH sector 25. Often the clearest way to present
coordination focal point. indicator monitoring and 4W data
22. As a minimum the UNHCR core is graphically in the form of a
WASH indicators thematic map (eg. Map showing
wash.unhcr.org/wash- distance to water points), or
indicators/ must be routinely infographic. These maps and
monitored in all refugee settings, infographics allow refugee WASH
through the WASH Monitoring actors to obtain a very clear
System wash.unhcr.org/wash- picture of where WASH
monitoring-system/. In addition, interventions have recently been
the indicators may also be carried out in addition to gaps and
communicated via the UNHCR duplications.
Information Management Portal 26. Refugee WASH sector situation
data.unhcr.org, or other external report (sitrep) updates should also
Information Management Portals be regularly produced. These
such as Activity Info. UNHCR sitreps should provide a narrative
funded Partners must also report snapshot of the current WASH
bi-annually to the UNHCR situation faced by the refugee
Programme Officer for recording population and updates of key
in the FOCUS database. WASH indicators. The data in the
Normally additional detailed sitreps should be drawn from the
indicators related to the WASH 4W matrix and the progress
response will also need to be indicator reports. These may be
collected and analysed at the field prepared as a stand-alone
level to enable detailed documents or may feed into the
management of specific UNHCR multi-sector reporting
programme activities. mechanisms
23. Where possible joint field visits 27. An important aspect of
with WASH Partners should be Information Management is the
arranged to monitor progress and ability to rapidly share different
ensure accountability. types of information with the
Information Management, Mapping refugee WASH community. It is
and Reporting essential that the refugee WASH
24. The ability to produce maps is an sector not only has an active
essential coordination activity in physical presence but also
large refugee emergencies. continues to interact through a
Information Management staff virtual presence. In every refugee
with skills in using mapping setting WASH information should
software should be considered as be closely integrated with
a core function within the sector. UNHCR's Inter-agency
Any new WASH facilities Information Sharing Portal

data.unhcr.org. In addition, Capture and application of
refugee WASH coordination
structures may consider lessons learned and sector
establishing additional web based best practice
coordination mechanisms for the 30. Refugee WASH sector
sharing of documentation, contact coordination mechanisms should
information, meeting minutes and strive to continuously evaluate the
other WASH information. This can refugee WASH sector response in
be as simple as a DropBox or terms of speed, relevance,
Google Drive account, or where effectiveness, efficiency, impact
required a dedicated website and sustainability. Ensure that all
(Wordpress or Drupal 7 Distro). lessons learned are used to
inform policy change and sector
Coordinated sector best practice on a national and
preparedness and global level.
contingency planning Ensure WASH interventions are fully
28. UNHCR and WASH actors coordinated with other sectors
should ensure that country level 31. UNHCR and WASH actors
and site level refugee WASH should ensure that WASH
contingency plans are prepared in activities are closely coordinated
conjunction with multi-sectorial with Site Planning, Protection,
plans that include an analysis of Education, Livelihoods,
historical and probable scenarios, Community Based Protection,
likely impacts, WASH needs, Public Health, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS
WASH stockpiling and stand-by and Shelter interventions. This is
arrangements, coordination essential in order to avoid
arrangements, and links to early confusion, and ensure there are
warning systems. no overlaps or gaps. Examples of
intersectoral interaction with
29. Part of the preparedness
WASH include:
activities include ensuring that
there is consensus over common  Site Selection: WASH
interagency WASH rapid and supports the overall site
comprehensive assessment tools selection process by
and approaches in addition to undertaking an assessment of
common emergency response the water availability, quality,
implementation methods, ease of abstraction, ease of
approaches and standards. treatment, and ease of water
Efforts undertaken during the distribution for various sites. In
preparedness phase can addition, WASH will assess the
dramatically improve the quality serviceability of any existing
and effectiveness of any future WASH infrastructure at the
WASH responses. potential sites in addition to
assessing ground conditions
for toilet construction and water
infiltration (water point
drainage)

 Site Drainage: Site Planning is WASH facilities to ensure they
responsible for overall site level meet with required standards
storm water management and and highlight to Education any
drainage. WASH is responsible areas of concern. Protection
for localized wastewater colleagues should be involved
drainage from water points, to collaborate to ensure that
bathing facilities, and gender, safety and privacy
laundering facilities. have been considered in the
 Site Layout: Site Planning is infrastructure location and
responsible for the overall design.
layout of roads, family plots,  WASH in Healthcare
and communal structures Facilities: Likewise, Health is
within a refugee site. WASH is responsible for all WASH
responsible for planning the related activities that take place
design and physical locations within refugee health-care
of all WASH facilities, facilities, as well as operation
considering safety aspects, in and maintenance, including on-
collaboration with the Site site medical waste
Planner and refugee management. Health may
community. request support from WASH for
 NFIs: Field Offices are assistance with design and
responsible for procurement, construction of WASH facilities
distribution, and monitoring of within the Health care facility.
the general household support WASH may do routine
package. WASH are monitoring of the WASH
responsible for specifying facilities to ensure they meet
WASH items to be included in with required standards and
the general household support are gender-segregated, safe
package in collaboration with and accessible for people with
the refugee population. limited mobility.
Particular care needed to  Coordinated outbreak
consult on menstrual hygiene response: It is critical to
and incontinence needs. coordinate with the Health
 WASH in Schools: Education Sector during water-borne
is responsible for all WASH disease outbreaks. Key
related activities that take place interventions include: 1)
within refugee school grounds. increased chlorination at water
Education may request support
storage and distribution points;
from WASH for assistance with
2) increase the sanitation
design and construction of
WASH facilities within the coverage for safe excreta
school. Education is disposal; 3) increase the
responsible for ensuring Hygiene Promotion activities
ongoing operation and and their reach. Refer to the
maintenance of WASH facilities MSF Cholera Guidelines and
within the school. WASH may the UNICEF Cholera Toolkit for
do routine monitoring of the more information.

4. WASH Assessments
WASH assessments are an essential activity in every refugee
setting to identify the locations of the most affected sections of
the population, public health related risks, their coping
mechanisms, and the most urgent WASH interventions that are
required. Timely WASH assessments provide the basis for
planning, implementation, and prioritisation of all refugee
WASH activities and in many settings are an important factor
in saving lives.
General principles for WASH females can speak with females.

Wherever possible teams should
assessments also include representatives of
1. UNHCR and WASH actors should minority groups in the affected
ensure that all WASH areas.
assessments are undertaken in a
coordinated manner, adhering to 3. WASH assessments should not
the principles and methodologies overburden the population and
generally defined in the collect any more information than
publications ‘The UNHCR tool for is required. Effort should be made
participatory assessment in to ensure that assessments are
operations (UNHCR, 2006)’, and well coordinated and affected
‘Operational Guidance for refugee populations are not
Coordinated Assessments in visited on multiple occasions by
Humanitarian Crises (IASC, different agencies asking for the
2012)’. same information.
2. WASH assessments should be 4. Assessment surveys should be

designed in a participatory and carried out with a properly
transparent manner taking into designed survey instrument, a
account local preferences and sampling plan, and a sample size
cultural norms. More guidance on calculation. No more data should
participatory assessment be collected than absolutely
approaches can be found in the necessary.
UNHCR publication ‘The UNHCR 5. Where possible, all WASH
tool for participatory assessment agencies should use common
in operations’ (UNHCR, 2006)’. data collection tools,
Whenever possible WASH methodologies, indicators and
assessments should be carried operational datasets (agreed
out in collaboration with national common population names,
refugee and WASH authorities. population sizes, and
Female and male team members administrative boundaries). A
must be included in all common approach is essential to
assessment teams to ensure that ensure that the data collected can
be compared, contrasted, and health) or as a separate WASH
compiled into a single database rapid assessment.
for shared analysis. In ideal 9. The data collected during the
settings, these tools and rapid WASH assessment should
methodologies would have been be processed the same day
developed and finalised as part of (typically during the afternoon or
ongoing WASH preparedness evening) and the assessment
activities. team should meet and prioritise
the findings into those needs that
Immediate assessment of that are lifesaving and must be
WASH needs met immediately and those that
need a medium term approach.
6. A rapid WASH assessment
should be carried out at the start 10. Immediate rapid assessments of
of any refugee emergency, ideally WASH needs should be followed
within the first 72 hours to identify up with comprehensive sectoral
priorities. Rapid assessment assessments which are typically
forms may be found at carried out within the three
http://wash.unhcr.org/emergen months with a similar
cy-tools/ methodology to the rapid WASH
assessment but in greater depth
7. In order to obtain the most
and over a longer period of time
complete picture possible of the
(typically several days).
WASH needs, the rapid
assessment should aim to collect
an equal amount of both
Immediate assessment of
qualitative (descriptive) and potential refugee hosting
quantitative (numerical) data. In sites
most settings, it is recommended
UNHCR and WASH actors 11. In parallel with the assessment of
undertake rapid WASH the refugee needs, it will be
assessments by carrying out all of necessary to carry out an
the following activities: immediate assessment of
potential refugee hosting sites.
 Key informant interviews This process must be carried out
 Focus group discussions in close collaboration with the
(gender and age segregated) UNHCR Management, National
 Rapid household surveys Government, local authorities,
 Observation walk and site planning experts.
 Assessment of existing WASH
infrastructure and services 12. When large numbers of refugees
 Assessment of existing WASH have crossed a border and are
management arrangements congregating in a particular
location, often the best solution
8. Initial assessments may be for adequate provision of WASH
carried out either as part of a services is to „decongest‟ and
multi-sectoral assessment with relocate the refugees to a better
other life-saving sectors (typically site. This may be a purpose built
shelter, protection, nutrition and
38 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH ASSESSMENTS

„transit facility‟, dispersed sites  Environmental considerations –
within the host community (either flood risk, access to suitable
urban or rural areas), or a building materials, potential for
purpose built „camp‟. vector breeding, access to
13. Normally the site selection existing electricity grid (and
process becomes a negotiation reliability of grid).
process between UNHCR  Solid Waste Management –
Management, and the National access to existing waste
and Local Governments. This collection services, location of
process must be informed by nearest landfill or transfer
clear and accurate technical station, or identification of
information, and often most suitable sites for new waste
importantly from the WASH disposal pits or landfill.
Sector with regard to access to  Protection considerations –
water at the proposed sites, and limitation of protection risks
potential challenges with provision (such as limited risk of conflicts
of sanitation at the proposed over water or other natural
sites, including flood risks. resources).
14. Normally the selection of suitable 15. Once a site is identified and
refugee hosting sites is an approval obtained for site
iterative process, and will become assessment, it is critical for the
a balance between managing WASH team to undertake a rapid
immediate needs, and longer term assessment as soon as possible.
objectives. WASH assessments Ideally the assessment will be
at potential refugee hosting sites jointly undertaken with the site
should consider the following key planning team and local
elements: authorities. After assessment the
findings should be documented
 Potential water sources - and a report issued as soon as
access to existing piped water possible to inform decision
network, location of water makers. The report should ideally
source (GPS coordinates), be combined with the findings of
volume available, quality of the site planning team and other
water, cost of development, relevant stakeholders.
existing users, protection
considerations. 16. Once a site is confirmed, then
 Sanitation considerations - detailed site assessments will
access to existing sewer need to be undertaken to inform
network, assessment of ground decisions related to requirements
conditions including soil type for any WASH upgrades (in the
(rocky, sandy, clay), soil case of existing buildings / co-
permeability (percolation test), location with host communities),
requirements for specialised and for detailed strategic planning
construction equipment, access of new WASH infrastructure (in
to desludging equipment and the case of new camps).
location nearest sludge
disposal site.
UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH ASSESSMENTS 39

Box 4.1: Principles for rapid  Design / modify interventions
assessments Assessment team composition
i). Involve all groups, particularly 18. During assessments it is
persons with specific needs, in generally faster to cover multiple
the assessment to identify sites with small independent
potential areas or issues multi-sectoral teams each with
needing immediate attention. their own allocated vehicle and
ii). Explain the objectives and guide. Ideally assessments will be
purpose of the assessment to carried out in conjunction with Site
the respondents to ensure their Planners and Protection
participation. Explain and colleagues. Team composition
ensure that all information will may be based on the following:
remain confidential. Team Member Proposed Activity
iii). Try to obtain responses from
different sources whenever WASH - Engineering
Specialist Assessment /
possible. Do not ask questions if
Sanitary Survey /
you already know the answer
Key Informant
from another source. Interviews
iv). Obtain consent from all adult
Site Planner - Site Assessment
participants in any activity, and
/ Key Informant
inform them that they can refuse
Interviews
to take part in the assessment
without negative consequences. Hygiene - Focus Groups /
Specialist Key Informant
Obtain consent from parent or
Interviews
guardian for the children
participants. Protection - Focus Groups /
v). Respect the dignity and self- Specialist Key Informant
worth of individuals at all times. Interviews
vi). Report incidents immediately to Local - Guide /
the protection focal point (see Community Introductions
Protection incident reporting). Representative - Assist with Key
Informant
Source: Joint Assessment Interviews /
Missions: A Practical Guide Focus Groups
(UNHCR, 2013)
19. The team members must include
both women and men and if
WASH Assessment Processes possible, the WASH assessment
and Tools team should include at least one
representative of the relevant
17. Assessments are generally local authority (Region / Provincial
based around five key steps: / District, as appropriate) for
 Identify resources and compile WASH issues and the national
assessment plan entity responsible for refugees
 Collect data should be fully informed of the
 Analyse and interpret planned assessment and its
 Report conclusions purpose.

20. At all stages the reliability of the guide the conversation. Note that
information being collected should it is often useful to interview men
be assessed according to the and women separately as women
following categories: may not feel able to speak or be
 Somewhat Reliable: honest in front of men.
Reasonable but questionable Focus group discussions
source, method or time 23. Focus group discussions may be
relevance of data used to gather information about
 Reliable: From a reliable social and cultural preferences
source, using scientific method and practices, or to facilitate
and data reflecting current or feedback on proposed technical
projected conditions. solutions. The UNHCR WASH
 Very Reliable: Effectively Focus Group Primer Questions
unquestioned source, method from wash.unhcr.org can be
and time relevance of data. helpful to guide the conversation.
Identification of assessment When undertaking focus group
locations discussions, UNHCR staff and
21. Typically assessments may be WASH actors should try to
required at border crossing points, observe the following
way stations, transit centres, considerations:
reception centres and at the final  Females should facilitate
sites where refugees will be female FGDs.
hosted for the long term. The  Select focus group members
assessment format will need to be who can contribute to the topic
adjusted depending on whether under discussion.
refugees are already resident at  Try to limit the numbers to a
the site, or if it is a future planned maximum of eight participants.
site where refugees are not yet  Use a note taker so the
resident. facilitator can remain engaged.
Key informant interviews  Encourage all voices, respect
all answers.
22. Key informants should be
 Listen as much as possible and
selected based on their specific
speak as little as possible.
knowledge of hardware or
 Respect the time of participants
software aspects of the site or
and limit the session duration
WASH programme. During the
to 30 minutes.
needs assessment, the assessor
should try to collect information Rapid household surveys
from as many different sources as 24. During the rapid needs
possible ensuring gender balance assessment it is essential to get a
overall, and should try to clear picture of the WASH needs
triangulate the information to not only on a macro-level but also
ensure it is correct. The UNHCR on a household level. Data
WASH Key Informant Interview collected from individual
Primer Questions from households is invaluable as it
wash.unhcr.org can be helpful to allows a snapshot of the current

WASH conditions experienced by  Self-reported occurrence of
a representative sample of watery diarrhoea within the
refugee households to be household in the last week?
presented. 26. The rapid household survey tool
25. In order to be able to cover as and guidance for sampling and
many households as possible sampling size calculations can be
during the emergency site visit the found on the wash.unhcr.org
number of questions in the website, and additional
UNHCR rapid household survey assessment questions are
tool has been kept to the absolute included in the Annex..
minimum essential WASH Observation walks
indicators. The aim is that the
27. An observation walk of the
rapid household survey tool
refugee site does not have to take
should take no more than 5
long, and can easily be
minutes to complete at every
incorporated into the general
household. Questions in the rapid
assessment schedule. For safety
household survey tool include:
and security reasons it should
 Water: generally be undertaken using a
 Where do you collect drinking member of the refugee population
water? as a guide. This also allows the
 How much drinking water was possibility to pose questions and
collected the previous day? collect first-hand information
 How many people in this about problems and solutions. Try
household? (allows the to obtain an even balance of
calculation of per capita water places the guide wants to show
consumption, and per capita you and places they may not want
water storage) you to see. Make sure you have a
 How much water storage digital camera and field notebook
capacity does the household to record any public health risks
have? related to water supply, water
 Observation of condition of storage, excreta, hygiene,
water storage containers? disease vector, solid waste,
 Sanitation: hazardous waste, or drainage.
 Where do you go to defecate?
Assessment of existing WASH
 Observation of condition of
infrastructure conditions
toilet or defecation area?
 Hygiene: 28. Assessment of the condition and
 Where do you go to serviceability of existing WASH
bathe/shower/wash? infrastructure is an essential part
 Observation of condition of of any needs assessment
shower/bathing area? especially in contexts where there
 Does the household have is insufficient or aging
access to soap? (directly infrastructure (for example in
observe the presence of soap urban contexts). When assessing
within 1 minute) existing WASH infrastructure, it is
essential to assess each step of

the water supply, excreta be completed prior to design of
disposal, or solid waste, chain the abstraction system and
from point of origin to point of treatment plant. These
use/reuse/disposal. At each step, assessments are typically carried
the key characteristics and out in collaboration with UNHCR‟s
condition of the infrastructure and site planning section. It is also
resources should be noted, along very important to also consider
with risks to public health, and the human aspects of water
corrective actions to bring the sources when undertaking
system back into serviceability. assessments, particularly to
Some large scale WASH understand who are the existing
infrastructure can be complex to users, who owns the land, risks
assess and may require for the environment and for
specialized expertise. A female conflict with the host community if
assessor should ask females the source is to be used for
separately about their feelings on refugee populations.
safety, privacy and usability when 31. Sanitation considerations -
using existing facilities. assessment of ground conditions
29. During the infrastructure including soil type (rocky, sandy,
assessment, it is essential to clay), soil strength, and soil
logically record details of what is permeability (percolation test)
observed. The following should be undertaken by digging
equipment can be useful as part test pits in various locations
of the infrastructure assessment: across the site, this will normally
 Digital camera require specialist equipment and
 GPS unit expertise.
 Tape measure / Laser 32. Environmental considerations –
Distometer / well dip meter flood risk modelling may be
 Water quality testing equipment requested from UNHCR Site
 Water flow rate testing planning section, via an
equipment arrangement with UNOSAT.
 Sanitary surveying templates Assessment of existing WASH
Detailed Assessment of New Sites management arrangements
30. Potential water sources - 33. Assessment of the existing
Specialist expertise is generally management arrangements (e.g.
essential to identify and evaluate who owns, takes care of, and
potential new water sources for pays for existing WASH
refugee settings. For infrastructure) is an essential part
groundwater sources a detailed of any needs assessment
hydrogeological survey should be especially in contexts where there
undertaken prior to drilling, and is aging or inadequate
for surface water sources a infrastructure. When assessing
detailed study considering WASH infrastructure
seasonal variations in flow management arrangements, it is
volume, turbidity, water quality essential to describe WHO does
and other relevant factors should WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and
HOW for each separate part of best results from the capacity
the water, excreta management, assessment process, it is
waste, hygiene, or disease vector important that this activity is
control activities. At each step, the undertaken with a spirit of
key characteristics and condition collaboration and open reflection
of the management activities with the institution; with a view
being undertaken (including any towards longer term integration of
transportation, labour, fuel, spare refugee WASH services with host
parts and consumable needs) community WASH service
should be noted. Some large management structures. In order
scale WASH infrastructure can be to achieve this, a review of the
complex to assess and may following with the service
require specialized expertise. providers is helpful:
Assessment of existing WASH  WASH equipment ages, types,
legislation capacities and conditions.
34. After the emergency phase,  WASH infrastructure ages,
UNHCR and WASH actors should types, capacities and
take a moment to ensure that conditions.
national legislation concerning  Human resources structure
water supply, excreta (organigram) including
management, hygiene, solid technical and managerial
waste, disease vector control, and capacity and experience
drainage are being fully  Fleet maintenance and logistics
respected. The best way to capacity
rapidly assess and understand  Operational budgets
existing legislation and practice is
to involve local experts and WASH Assessment Analysis
authorities in the assessment and Reporting
process as early as possible.
During the emergency and Analysis of assessment findings and
stabilisation phases it may be development of a WASH action plan
possible to get exemptions to 36. The analysis process aims to
existing legislation for short term organise, review, synthesise and
interventions. interpret the information collected
throughout the WASH
Institutional capacity assessments
assessment process. An analysis
35. During the stabilisation phase, or plan should be used to outline
earlier if possible, it is important to how information collected will be
take a moment to assess the utilised. The final output of the
capacity and needs of waste analysis process will be key
service providers and local waste findings and recommendations
authorities along with what and a WASH action plan that
additional priority support they clearly describes the short and
may need to carry out their roles. medium term WASH response
An institutional capacity strategies in terms of WHERE,
assessment is a useful exercise
to achieve this. In order to get the

WHEN, WHAT, WHO and HOW - Will the water supply solution
MUCH. be integrated into local
Format of a comprehensive WASH infrastructure or will it be
assessment report stand-alone?
- Are the soil and groundwater
37. A comprehensive WASH
conditions suitable for on-site
assessment report should be a
sanitation?
maximum of 20 pages (excluding
- What will be the big WASH
executive summary and annexes)
ticket items?
and follow the outline below.
vi). Needs and gaps: how current
i). Executive Summary: 2-3
assistance is addressing the
pages, including key
WASH needs in addition to any
background information, needs
WASH gaps. This section
identified and
should also include any likely
recommendations.
future scenarios and evolution
ii). Introduction: Background to
of needs.
comprehensive WASH
vii). Conclusions and
assessment, objectives, why
recommendations: This
the assessment was
section should summarise the
conducted, overview of current
main conclusions of the WASH
situation, what the assessment
assessment and likely
aimed to achieve.
evolution of the situation in the
iii). Methodology: How the
short and medium term.
assessment was conducted,
viii). Recommended activities:
when, which methods and tools
Description of the WASH short
were used.
and medium term action plans
iv). Limitations and challenges:
in terms of WHO, WHAT,
Description of any problems
WHERE, WHEN and HOW.
faced in achieving the overall
ix). Annexes:
objectives of the WASH
 ToR.
assessment.
 Detailed statistics.
v). Findings:
 Maps.
 Overall picture of the refugee
 Participants (including
situation: origin, number,
names of organisations and
sites, surrounding
individuals).
community relations.
 List of secondary data
 Context: brief overview of
sources analysed.
the humanitarian context.
 List of sites visited, people
 Key findings (organised
met, FGD held, key
geographically per site and
informants interviewed.
by WASH thematic area). In
 Copies of data collection
particular the key findings
tools used (key informant
should describe:
primer sheets, rapid
- Will the site require a
household survey
centralized or decentralized
questionnaires, sanitary
water supply solution?
survey tools, etc.)

Note: The list of questions is not exhaustive and is merely intended as an aide memoire.
Additional questions should be formulated based on the replies received and the context.
46 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH MONITORING AND REPORTING

5. WASH Monitoring and Reporting
Regular monitoring of WASH indicators is essential to
understand if WASH programmes in refugee settings are on
track to meet basic needs and agreed targets. Reporting of
WASH indicators is essential so that all actors can understand
the progress that is being made by WASH activities, including
the refugees themselves.
Establishment of the routine of the wider Public Health

Monitoring Platform called iRHIS
monitoring of WASH used to manage and analyse
indicators public health data collected in
1. Routine monitoring of the UNHCR refugee operations. The WASH
core WASH indicators needs to Monitoring System is used to
be started immediately during the create WASH report cards for
emergency phase and continued refugee sites that monitor trends
until a durable solution has been in key water, sanitation and
reached for the refugee hygiene indicators at household
population. This is regardless of and community levels.
whether the context is 4. WASH Partners and UNHCR
emergency, post-emergency, Staff can become registered
camp-based, non-camp based, users of the WASH Monitoring
urban, or rural. System (WMS) by registering
2. WASH programmes should also online and then requesting
monitor the rate of change of core relevant level of access (country,
WASH indicators to clearly show regional or global).
that the UNHCR target values will 5. WASH indicator data is entered
be met on-time. During the initial directly into the WASH Monitoring
response period, the coverage of System website by the WASH
water points, toilets, showers, Partner (or UNHCR WASH
water containers, hygiene kits, Officer) at country level and then
access to sanitary protection reviewed and approved by
materials, underwear and soap UNHCR at the regional level and
should be closely monitored. If the global levels.
scale-up rates show that UNHCR
6. As a minimum the UNHCR core
target will not be met on-time,
WASH „access indicators‟ should
additional financial, material, and
be measured monthly and
human resources should be
„household indicators‟ measured
allocated.
annually. The current version of
3. UNHCR uses an online WASH the core UNHCR WASH
Monitoring System Indicators and Standards are
http://wash.unhcr.org/wash- listed below and updated versions
monitoring-system/ which is part may be found at
UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH MONITORING AND REPORTING 47
http://wash.unhcr.org/wash-  Number of persons per
indicators. toilet/latrine
7. Registered users may view  Number of persons per bath
historical WASH indicator data via shelter / shower
the reporting functions on the  Number of persons per hygiene
iRHIS website. Progress against promoter
indicators can visualized over
time and comparisons can be Monitoring WASH ‘Household
made with Health and Nutrition Indicators’ using the
data to inform WASH
programming.
Standardised KAP Survey
9. „Household Indicators‟ should be
Monitoring WASH ‘Access monitored on an annual basis
using the UNHCR Standardised
Indicators’ using the monthly KAP Survey (Knowledge,
report card Attitudes and Practices) and the
8. „Access Indicators‟ should be results recorded at
monitored on a monthly basis http://wash.unhcr.org/wash-
using the UNHCR Monthly Report monitoring-system/. WASH
Card and the results recorded at actors should aim to carry out an
wash.unhcr.org/wash- initial KAP baseline survey within
monitoring-system/. Detailed the first 6 months of the
instructions on the use of the emergency and then at least once
monthly report card are available a year (ideally twice if there are
to registered users via the distinct rainy and dry seasons).
website. The UNHCR Monthly Results from the KAP survey
Report Card is used to routinely should be used to assist in the
monitor the following: modification of the WASH
activities in particular the hygiene
 Average # liters of potable promotion aspects. The KAP
water available per person per Survey Manual can be found on
day the wash.unhcr.org website and
 Average # l/p/d of potable includes core WASH questions
water collected at household and a description of several
level ≥ 15 ≥ 20 Number of scientifically robust representative
persons per usable water tap sampling methodologies.
 % water quality tests at non
chlorinated water collection 10. The UNHCR Standardised KAP
locations with 0 CFU/100ml Survey is used to routinely
 % of water quality tests at monitor the following indicators:
chlorinated collection locations  Average # l/p/d of potable
with FRC in the range 0.2- water collected at household
2mg/L and turbidity <5NTU level

UNHCR WASH Indicators and Targets – February 2019
1 Post
Emergency Means of
Indicator Emergency
Target Verification
Target
2
Average # liters of potable water available per ≥ 15 ≥ 20 Monthly Report Card
person per day
Water Average # l/p/d of potable water collected at ≥ 15 ≥ 20 Annual KAP
Quantity household level
% Households with at least 10 liters/person ≥ 70% ≥ 80% Annual KAP
potable water storage capacity
Maximum distance [m] from household to ≤ 500m ≤ 200m Mapping
potable water collection point
Water
Number of persons per usable handpump / well / ≤ 500 ≤ 250 Monthly Report Card
Access 3
spring
4
Number of persons per usable water tap ≤ 250 ≤ 100 Monthly Report Card
% Households collecting drinking water from ≥ 70% ≥ 95% Annual KAP
protected/treated sources
% water quality tests at non chlorinated water ≥ 95% ≥ 95% Monthly Report Card
Water
collection locations with 0 CFU/100ml
Quality
% of water quality tests at chlorinated collection ≥ 95% ≥ 95% Monthly Report Card
locations with FRC in the range 0.2-2mg/L and
5
turbidity <5NTU
6
Number of persons per toilet/latrine ≤ 50 ≤ 20 Monthly Report Card
7
Sanitation % Households with household toilet/latrine - ≥ 85% Annual KAP / MRC
% Households reporting defecating in a toilet ≥ 60% ≥ 85% Annual KAP
6
Number of persons per bath shelter/shower ≤ 50 ≤ 20 Monthly Report Card
8
Hygiene Number of persons per hygiene promoter ≤ 500 ≤ 1000 Monthly Report Card
9
% Households with access to soap ≥ 70% ≥ 90% Annual KAP
Solid % Households with access to solid waste ≥ 70% ≥ 90% Annual KAP
Waste disposal facility
UNHCR WASH Standards for Communal Buildings
Average 3 liters of potable water available per pupil per day
400 of pupils per usable handpump/well
Schools
200 pupils per usable water tap
50 pupils per toilet/latrine (30 girls per toilet, 60 boys per toilet – add urinals for boys)
Health Average 10 liters of potable water available per outpatient per day
Clinics / Average 50 liters of potable water available per inpatient/bed per day
Nutrition 1 separated water point per health facility
Feeding 20 outpatients per toilet/latrine
Centre
10 inpatients/beds per toilet/latrine
1
An emergency is arbitrarily defined as the first six months after the population movement has stabilized. However, this definition is context specific and
should only serve as general guidance
2
Potable water = safe for drinking
3
For decentralized systems
4
For centralized systems
5
Minimum target at water collection point should be 0.5mg/L FRC in general, and 1mg/L FRC during an outbreak
6
Post-emergency standard is 20 persons per toilet/shower, aiming for 1 toilet/shower per household or ≈5 persons
7
Latrines/toilets should be facilities that are cleanable, guarantee privacy and are structurally safe
8
In protracted situations, Hygiene Promoters should be combined with community health workers as much as possible
9
To maintain health, dignity and well-being, at least 450 grams of soap should be distributed per person per month. 250g is for personal hygiene; 200g is
for laundry and other washing purposes.
NB: Where appropriate the standards should be adapted based on context or existing National Standards. An updated
version may be found at http://wash.unhcr.org/wash-indicators

 Households with at least 10 an issue for immediate attention.
liters/person potable water An example can be found in the
storage capacity figures below. These simple
 Maximum distance [m] from geographical information systems
household to potable water can also be shared with the health
collection point programme to investigate the
 % Households collecting linkages between disease, where
drinking water from protected / patients reside, and poor access
treated sources to WASH services. Maps are
 % Households with household particularly useful to analyse
toilet/latrine disease outbreak data (case
 % Households reporting mapping), and to determine gaps
defecating in a toilet in WASH service coverage.
 % Households with access to
soap and specific device for
REACH (2013)
hand-washing
 % Households with access to
solid waste disposal facility
UNHCR (2013)
Figure 2 WASH Block Mapping Za’atari
REACH (2013)
Figure 1 TWINE Work Flow

Figure 3 WASH Block Buffer Zones
Mapping WASH infrastructure

Monitoring the cost
11. Simple mapping of WASH
facilities (for example water
effectiveness and efficiency
points, toilets, bathing cubicles, of WASH interventions
solid waste collection points) can 12. During the post-emergency
help obtain a clear snapshot of phase, UNHCR and WASH actors
coverage and conditions. Colours should monitor the cost and
may be used to plot WASH efficiency of all WASH
facilities in green if they are interventions over time. Core
functional, yellow if they have value-for-money indicators
minor issues, and red if there is include:

 The cost of water supply (per 15. UNHCR and WASH actors
m3 and per refugee) should ensure that infrastructure
 The cost of excreta break-down rates (in particularly
management (per m3 and per programmes that use handpumps
refugee) for water supply), and spare-parts
 The cost of solid waste replacement rates are closely
management services (per ton tracked to ensure that strategies
and per refugee) to reduce breakdown frequency
13. The monitoring of WASH and replacement are functioning
expenditure per refugee allows (and to identify irregularities and
different refugee settings to be increasing frequency in
compared and can also be used breakdown rates and spare-part
to explain why indicators are not replacement). Core break-down
achieved in some settings due to indicators include:
a lack of funding. The monitoring  % reliability (# operating days /
of WASH expenditure can also total elapsed days)
highlight locations that are not 16. All data collected by the WASH
making efficient use of resources. programme should be collected
14. In addition to monitoring costs, with a purpose to inform decisions
UNHCR and WASH actors should and improve the performance and
also monitor the productivity of cost-efficiency of the programme.
WASH programmes in an effort to This is not just to save the donors
maximize. WASH programmes money but to move to a cost
typically employ a large number of efficient model that may be
staff (e.g. construction teams, handed over to the refugee
operation and maintenance population or local authorities.
teams, hygiene promoters, More information on monitoring
cleaners, waste collection team), the cost and efficiency of WASH
vehicles (e.g. waste collection interventions in refugee settings
vehicles, water tankers, can be found in the UNHCR “Cost
maintenance pick-ups), and for Water” project which is
machines (e.g. water pumps, accessible from the
water treatment machines, sludge wash.unhcr.org website.
pumps). Small changes in how 17. Monitoring should also be
these assets operate can result in undertaken of protection and
large increases in efficiency. accountability issues, particularly
Basic log sheets should be used feelings of safety, privacy and
to monitor how vehicles, usability of facilities. Particular
machines and staff are working. care should be taken to obtain
For example water tankers, or feedback from women, girls, older
waste vehicles may be logged to people and people from
measure how many return trips marginalised or vulnerable
are being carried out per shift, groups. This monitoring should be
how much time is spent waiting, undertake in collaboration with
loading, collecting, or protection colleagues. See
transporting. Chapter 2 for more details.

References
Introduction
WASH Technical Reference Documents
 ACF (2005), Water and Sanitation for Populations at Risk. ACF, Paris.
http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/sites/default/files/publications/Water_sani
tation_and_hygiene_for_populations_at_risk_12.2005.pdf
 Davis J, Lambert R, (2002), Engineering in Emergencies 2nd Ed. ITDG, UK.
 Ferron, Morgan, O'Reilly, (2007), Hygiene Promotion: A Practical Manual for
Relief and Development.
 John Hopkins and IFRC (2008), Public Health Guide for Emergencies.
http://www.jhsph.edu/research/center-for-refugee-and-disaster-
response/publications_tools/publications/_CRDR_ICRC_Public_Health_Guid
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 MSF (2010), Public Health Engineering in Precarious Situations 2nd Ed.
http://refbooks.msf.org/msf_docs/en/public_health/public_health_en.pdf
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http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/reference_attachments/UNHCR%202
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http://www.unhcr.org/publications/operations/3ae6bd100/unhcr-water-
manual-refugee-situations.html
 WEDC (2007), Excreta Disposal in Emergencies. Water, Engineering and
Development Centre (WEDC), Loughborough University, UK.
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2007%20Excreta%20Disposal%20in%20Emergencies%20%20A%20Field%
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Organisation, Geneva.
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44584/1/9789241548151_eng.pdf
WASH Legal and Policy Reference Documents
 SDG 6 (2015) https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg6
 UNHCHR (2010), 'Legal obligations of the rights to water and sanitation',
Human right to water and sanitation UN special rapporteur, Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNHCHR, Geneva.
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http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FactSheet35en.pdf
52 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | REFERENCES

 UNHCR (2014), „UNHCR policy on alternatives to camps‟. UNHCR, Geneva.
http://www.unhcr.org/5422b8f09.pdf
 UNHCR (2014), Global Strategy for Public Health 2014-2018. UNHR,
Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/530f12d26.pdf
 UNHCHR (2014), „Realizing the human rights to water and sanitation: A
Handbook', Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, UNHCHR, Geneva.
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/WaterAndSanitation/SRWater/Pages/Handb
ook.aspx
 UNHCR (2015), Global Trends Forced Displacement in 2015. UNHCR,
Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/576408cd7.pdf
Chapter 1 – UNHCR WASH Protection Principles

WASH, Protection, Accountability, Participatory Techniques
 CHS Alliance, The Sphere Project and Group URD (2015) Core
Humanitarian Standard; CHS Guidance Notes and Indicators, CHS Alliance,
The Sphere Project and Group URD.
https://corehumanitarianstandard.org/resources/chs-guidance-notes-and-
indicators
 Ferron, S & Lloyd, A (2014) Emergency WASH for Children, Scoping Study,
2014, Save the Children. http://www.elrha.org/wp-
content/uploads/2015/02/2014-10-11-Emergency-WASH-for-Children-
Final.pdf
 Help Age (2015, Pilot version) Minimum Standards for Age and Disability
Inclusion in Humanitarian Action, Age and Disability Capacity Project
(ADCAP). http://www.helpage.org/what-we-do/emergencies/adcap-age-and-
disability-capacity-building-programme/
 House, S. Ferron, S, Sommer, M, and Cavill, S. (2014) Violence, Gender &
WASH: A Practitioner's Toolkit - Making water, sanitation and hygiene safer
through improved programming and services. London, UK: WaterAid/SHARE
(co-published by 27 organisations) http://www.violence-
wash.lboro.ac.uk/toolkit/
 IASC (2006), 'Gender and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Emergencies'.
Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Geneva, Switzerland.
http://www.ungei.org/resources/files/13.pdf
 IFRC (2006), Gender in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion guidance
note'. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, Geneva, Switzerland.
http://watsanmissionassistant.wikispaces.com/Gender%20in%20WASH.pdf
 UNHCR (2006), „The UNHCR Tool for Participatory Assessment in
Operations‟. UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/462df4232.pdf
 UNHCR (2008) Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls. UNHCR,
Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/47cfa9fe2.pdf
 UNHCR (2016), „WASH, Protection and Accountability Briefing Paper‟.
UNHCR, Geneva.
UNHCR WASH MANUAL | REFERENCES 53

 UNHCR (2008), „A Community Based Approach in UNHCR Operations‟.
UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/47f0a0232.pdf
 UNHCR (2009), „Policy on Refugee Protection and Solutions in Urban Areas‟.
UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/4ab356ab6.pdf
 UNHCR (2013), „Understanding community based protection‟. UNHCR,
Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/51d19cb79.html
 UNHCR (2015) UNHCR Age, Gender and Diversity, Accountability Report,
2015. UNHCR Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/5769092c7.pdf
Age, Gender and Diversity
 De Lange, R., Lenglet, A., Fesselet, J.F., Gartley, M., Altyev, M., Fisher, J.
and Shanks, A. (2014) Keeping it simple: a gender-specific sanitation tool for
emergencies , Waterlines 33, 1, 45-54.
http://fieldresearch.msf.org/msf/handle/10144/550709
 Mooijman, A. (2006), 'Girl-friendly toilets for schoolgirls: helping adolescent
girls', IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC), The Hague, The
Netherlands. http://www.ircwash.org/sites/default/files/Roberts-2006-Girl-
friendly.pdf
 IFRC (2006), Gender in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion guidance
note'. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, Geneva, Switzerland.
http://watsanmissionassistant.wikispaces.com/file/Gender%20in%20water%2
0and%20sanitation-EN_LR.pdf
 UNHCR (2000) Policy on Older Refugees. UNHCR, Geneva.
https://cms.emergency.unhcr.org/documents/11982/43853/UNHCR%2C+Poli
cy+on+Older+Refugees%2C+2000/084c44bf-1dd6-461c-b72f-b603b07bccde
 UNHCR (2003) Sexual and Gender Based Violence against Refugees,
returnees and Internally Displaced Persons, Guidelines for Prevention and
Response. UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/3f696bcc4.pdf
 UNHCR (2011) Age, Gender and Diversity Policy, Working with people and
communities for equality and protection. UNHCR, Geneva.
http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/55a61f794.pdf
 UNHCR (2011) Need to know guidance: Working with persons with older
persons in forced displacement. UNHCR, Geneva.
http://www.unhcr.org/4ec3c81c9.pdf
 UNHCR & IOM (2015) Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgender and
Intersex (LBGTI) Persons in Forced Displacement, Training Package:
http://www.unhcrexchange.org/topics/15810
 Zomerplaag, J., and Mooijman, A. (2004) „Child friendly hygiene and
sanitation facilities in schools‟. IRC Netherlands.
http://toolkit.ineesite.org/1071/Child_Friendly_Facilities.pdf
Accessibility
 Jones, H.E., and Reed, R.A. (2005), 'Water and sanitation for disabled
people and other vulnerable Groups: designing services to improve
accessibility', Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC),
Loughborough University, UK.
http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/WASH_for_Disabled_People.pdf

 Jones, H & Wilbur, J (2014) Compendium of accessible WASH technologies,
WEDC, WaterAid, SHARE. http://hrbaportal.org/wp-
content/files/Compendium-of-accessible-WASH-technologies.pdf
 Oxfam (2007), Excreta disposal for physically vulnerable people in
emergencies.' Oxfam GB, Oxford, UK. http://policy-
practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/excreta-disposal-for-physically-vulnerable-
people-in-emergencies
 UNHCR (2011), „Working with persons with disabilities in forced
displacement. UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/4ec3c81c9.html
 Vincent, D., et al (2008), 'How to build an accessible environment in
developing countries. Manual 1: introduction and accessibility standards',
Handicap International France, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh.
http://www.handicapinternational.f/documents/Manual1_light.pdf
developing countries. Manual 2, part 1: toilets and closed showers', Handicap
International France, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh.
http://www.handicap-international.fr/documents/Manual2-1_light.pdf
developing countries. Manual 2, part 2: open washing areas and water
points', Handicap International France, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh.
http://www.handicap-international.fr/documents/Manual2-2_light.pdf
developing countries. Manual 3: free movement', Handicap International
France, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh.
http://www.handicapinternational.fr/documents/Manual3_light.pdf
Menstrual hygiene management (MHM)
 Ferron, S and Khan, M Eds. (2015) Hygiene Promotion in Emergencies, No
6. MHM and HP innovation, July 2015
 House, S., Mahon, T., and Cavill, S. (2012) 'Menstrual hygiene matters. A
resource for improving menstrual hygiene around the world'. WaterAid,
London, UK. http://www.wateraid.org/media/Files/Global/Compiled_LR.pdf
 Columbia University and International Rescue Committee (2017), „Menstrual
Hygiene Management in Emergencies Toolkit‟, IRC, New York.
https://www.rescue.org/resource/menstrual-hygiene-management-mhm-
emergencies-toolkit
 Robinson, A & Obrect, A (2016) Improving menstrual hygiene management
in emergencies: IFRCs MHM Kit, HIF & ALNAP.
http://www.alnap.org/pool/files/alnap-ifrc-menstrual-hygiene-case-study-
2016.pdf
 SPLASH (2015) Menstrual Hygiene Management Toolkit, USA, Washington
D.C., USA, USAID/WASHplus Project.
http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KKKD.pdf
 Sommer, M. (2012), 'Menstrual hygiene management in humanitarian
emergencies. gaps and recommendations'. Waterlines 31, 83-104,
Intermediate Technology, UK.
http://www.sswm.info/files/Menstrual%20hygiene%20emergencies.pdf

Chapter 2 – WASH Strategy and Operational Plans
Cash Based Interventions
 UNHCR (2013), „An introduction to cash-based assistance in UNHCR
operations‟. UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/515a959e9.pdf
 UNHCR (2015), „Operational guidance for cash-based interventions in
displacement settings‟. UNHCR, Geneva.
http://www.refworld.org/docid/54d387d14.html
 UNHCR (2017), Cash based interventions for WASH programmes in refugee
settings. UNHCR, Geneva. http://wash.unhcr.org/download/cash-based-
interventions-for-wash-programmes-in-refugee-settings/
Operation and Maintenance
 Brikké, F. (2000), 'Operation and maintenance of rural water supply and
sanitation systems'. World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland.
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/om/omruralsystems/en/
 Davis, J., and Brikké, F., (1995) 'Making your water supply work: Operation
and maintenance of small water supply systems'. International Water and
Sanitation Centre (IRC), Delft, The Netherlands. http://www.wsp.org/Hygiene-
Sanitation-Water-Toolkit/Resources/Readings/davis-brikke.pdf
 Harvey, P. (2004), 'Sustainable handpump projects in Africa'. WEDC,
Loughborough University, UK.
http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/docs/research/WEJW2/Report_-_Uganda.pdf
 Skinner, B. and Shaw, R. (1989), 'VLOM handpumps: WEDC technical brief
#41'. WEDC, Loughborough University, UK.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/technical-briefs/41-vlom-pumps.pdf
WASH and Protection of the Environment
 BGS (2002), „Assessing risk to groundwater from on-site sanitation‟. British
Geological Society, Nottingham, UK.
 http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/pdf/outputs/r68692.pdf
 CARE (2003), „Guidelines for rapid environmental impact assessment in
disasters‟. CARE International.
http://www.preventionweb.net/files/8267_bhrcgen30apr1.pdf
 UNHCR (2001), „Refugee operations and environmental management:
selected lessons learned‟. UNHCR, Geneva.
http://www.unhcr.org/406c38bd4.pdf
 UNHCR (2005), „UNHCR environmental guidelines‟. UNHCR, Geneva.
http://www.unhcr.org/3b03b2a04.html
 UNHCR (2009), „Framework for assessing, monitoring and evaluating the
environment in refugee related operations‟. UNHCR, Geneva.
http://www.unhcr.org/4a97d1039.html
 WHO (2006) „Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and
greywater‟. World Health Organization, Geneva.
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/wastewater/gsuww/en/
Urban Refugees
 UNHCR (1997), „UNHCR policy on refugees in urban areas‟. UNHCR,
Geneva. http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/3cbaedf74.pdf

 UNHCR (2009), „UNHCR policy on refugee solutions in urban areas‟.
UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/4ab356ab6.pdf
 UNHCR (2012), „The implementation of UNHCR‟s policy on refugee
protection and solutions in urban areas – global survey‟. UNHCR, Geneva.
http://www.unhcr.org/516d658c9.pdf
Chapter 3 – WASH Sector Coordination

 Global WASH Cluster (2009), „Intercluster matrices of roles and
accountabilities‟. UNICEF, Geneva.
http://washcluster.net/?get=000596|2014/04/ICM-final-13-01-2010-2.pdf
 Global WASH Cluster (2009), „WASH Cluster Coordinator Handbook‟.
UNICEF, Geneva.
http://humanitarianlibrary.org/sites/default/files/2014/02/WASH_Cluster_Coor
dinator_Handbk_FINAL_VERSION_Jan09-1.pdf
 UNHCR (2013), „UNHCR refugee coordination model: Adaptation of
UNHCR‟s refugee coordination in the context of the Transformative Agenda‟.
UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/53679e2c9.pdf
 UNHCR (2014), „UNHCR refugee coordination model: Frequently asked
questions‟. UNHCR, Geneva. http://www.unhcr.org/54f6cb129.pdf
 UNHCR (2014), „Joint UNHCR – OCHA note on mixed situations:
Coordination in practise‟. UNHCR / OCHA, Geneva.
http://www.unhcr.org/54f6cb129.pdf
 MSF (2004), „MSF Cholera Guidelines‟. MSF, Geneva.
https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/fr/operations/iraq/document/msf-
cholera-guidelines-2004
 UNICEF (2012), „UNICEF Cholera Toolkit‟. UNICEF, New York.
https://www.unicef.org/cholera/index_71222.html
Chapter 4 – WASH Assessments

Needs Assessments
 Global WASH Cluster (2014), 'WASH Cluster Indicators: Humanitarian
Indicator Registry (HIR) & Associated Question Bank', Global WASH Cluster,
UNICEF, Geneva, Switzerland.
http://www.humanitarianresponse.info/applications/ir
 IASC (2012), 'Operational guidance for coordinated assessments in
humanitarian crisis', United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (UNOCHA), Geneva, Switzerland.
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/ops_guidance_finalversion201
2.pdf
 IASC (2012), 'Multi Cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA)', United
Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Geneva,
Switzerland.
https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/mira_final_version2012.pdf
 NRC (2014), 'Humanitarian needs assessment: The good enough guide',
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Oslo, Norway.

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/h-humanitarian-needs-
assessment-the-good-enough-guide.pdf
 UNHCR (2006), 'The UNHCR tool for participatory assessment in operations',
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
Geneva, Switzerland. http://www.unhcr.org/450e963f2.html
 UNHCR (2013), 'Needs assessment for refugee emergencies (NARE)
checklist', Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR), Geneva, Switzerland.
http://data.unhcr.org/imtoolkit/documents/download/5846b9c1163c14616bc5d
d81d6278ad1/lang:eng
Chapter 5 – WASH Monitoring and Reporting

 UNHCR (2006), 'Practical guide to the systematic use of standards and
indicators in UNHCR operations', Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva, Switzerland.
http://www.unhcr.org/40eaa9804.pdf
 UNHCR (2014), 'WASH report card preparation using TWINE', Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva,
Switzerland. http://www.ben-harvey.org/UNHCR/WASH-
Manual/Wiki/index.php/File:WASH_Report_Card_Preparation_TWINE_(UNH
CR).pdf
 Global WASH Cluster (2014), 'WASH information management guidance
note', Global WASH Cluster, UNICEF, Geneva, Switzerland.
www.alnap.org/pool/files/wash-im-guidance-note1.pdf
 UNHCR (2014), 'Emergency information management toolkit ', Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva,
Switzerland. www.unhcr.org/55005ae59.pdf
 UNHCR (2017), „UNHCR WASH Standards and Indicators for Refugee
Settings‟. UNHCR, Geneva. http://wash.unhcr.org/unhcr-wash-standards-
and-indicators-for-refugee-settings/

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UNHCR

Sixth Edition February 2019

Any part of this publication, may be copied,

UNHCR WASH Manual: Practical Guidance for Refugee Settings

Designed and produced by the UNHCR.

Ben Harvey, Murray Burt, Franklin Golay and Ryan Schweitzer

with contributions from: Marian Schilperood, Claudia Perlongo, Francesca Coloni,

Introduction ensuring accountability to donors,

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | INTRODUCTION 1

2 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | INTRODUCTION

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | INTRODUCTION 3

Figure 1-1 Overview of UNHCR WASH Priorities by Phase

1. EMERGENCY 2. TRANSITION PHASE 3. POST EMERGENCY &

0- 6 months Up to 2 years 2 – 20 years ++

Emergency Phase Transition Phase Post Emergency & Protracted Phase

4 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | INTRODUCTION

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | INTRODUCTION 5

Introduction requirements for persons with

6 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES 7

A - By stage of the project cycle

8 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

Commode chair with

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES 9

10 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES 11

12 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES 13

14 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES 15

Areas for collaboration

Other sectors for collaboration

16 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

Global WASH Strategy sector country strategy should

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS 17

18 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS 19

20 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS

22 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS 23

Table 2.1 Types of WASH interventions in Urban Settings

Activities must be carried

24 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS

26 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH STRATEGY AND OPERATIONAL PLANS 27

Refugee Coordination Model cluster mechanism has been

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION 29

30 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION 31

32 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION 33

34 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION

UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION 35

36 UNHCR WASH MANUAL | WASH SECTOR COORDINATION

General principles for WASH females can speak with females.