1. Significance WASH as a sector of
humanitarian response and linkages
with other sectors.

2. Session Objectives
• Overview of Public Health in emergencies.
• Significance of WASH as a sector of disaster
response.
• Know the Six elements of WASH intervention
in disaster response
• Linkage of WASH with other sectors

3. How do people get infected?

4. Epidemiological Triad:
HOST
Age
genetic susceptibility
nutritional status
previous exposure
immunization status
general physical condition
ENVIRONMENT
shelter
altitude
AGENT
Vector humidity
Bacteria
sanitation
Viruses
food supply
parasites
water supply
temperature
overcrowding
essential services

5. Basics of Epidemiology
Epidemiology: Study of Endemic:
distribution and determinants
• The continuing presence
of diseases & health related
events and application of this of disease within a given
knowledge for prevention and geographical area or
control of diseases. population groups
Pandemic Epidemic
• Spread through human • Occurrence of an illness or
populations across a large injury clearly in excess of
region; for instance multiple normal expectancy
continents, or even
worldwide.
19 December 2012 5
5

6. Mortality & Morbidity patterns in post-
disaster scenarios
Joundice,
Causes of death for children <5 in one Infections, 1,861
117,269
of the refugee camp in emergency
ARI,
50,957
Diarrhoea,
405,081
Dysentery,
115,999

7. Impact of disasters on Public health
• Every Emergency is a (Public) Health Emergency,
if it is not then it has potential to.
• Disasters almost always have significant impact
on the health and well-being of affected men,
women and children.
• The main killers are often diarrhoeal disease,
measles, and acute respiratory infections.

8. Major communicable Diseases
Leptospirosis
Malaria
Shigellosis
Scabies
Dengue
What are these diseases?

9. Group Exercise
• List down the causes, symptoms and any
other information you may get on the
disease.
• List interventions required to control the
disease.
You may use available
literature/books

10. 6 elements of WASH interventions
Water Excreta Vector Solid waste Hygiene
Drainage
Supply Disposal Control Management Behaviour

11. WASH Linkages
• Water is life - without water, we will dehydrate & die
• Hygiene is difficult without water, increasing likelihood of
diarrhoeal diseases
Health PLWHA may have increased WASH needs
• Children who are malnourished are more susceptible to
Nutrition •
diarrhoea
People with diarrhoea cannot absorb the food they eat and
hence are more likely to become malnourished
Efficient logistics are essential for effective WASH
Logistics programmes in emergencies – value your logistician!
The siting of shelter and WASH facilities need to be
Shelter coordinated effectively to enable equitable use and access
Poorly sited WASH facilities, can lead to increased
Protection vulnerability and attacks on women or children including
rape
Good WASH services at community level aids early
Early Recovery recovery