How can water-related diseases be prevented during emergencies?
The three top priorities concerning drinking water and sanitation during an emergency situation are: • ensuring the provision of enough safe water for drinking and for personal hygiene to the people affected by the crisis; • ensuring that all people affected by the crisis have access to hygienic sanitation facilities; • promoting good hygiene behaviours. Following damage to existing sanitation systems or increased pressure due to large numbers of displaced or homeless people, effective and well-coordinated action by all those involved in the emergency response is critical. The first priority is to provide a sufficient quantity of water, even if its safety cannot be guaranteed, and to protect water sources from contamination. A minimum of 15 litres per person per day should be provided as soon as possible. During emergencies, people may use untreated water for laundry or bathing. Water-quality improvements should be made over succeeding days or weeks as a matter of urgency. Inadequate d
