A new innovation for lining pit latrines in collapsing formations

In Dadaab refugee camps, North Eastern Kenya, a new innovation is replacing the conventional materials such as masonry, metal, wood or rubber used for lining pit latrines in collapsing formations. This is the sandbag liner, known simply as “birkaroon” or ‘better than steel’ in Somali language. The technique was innovated by a member of the Water and Environmental Sanitation (Watesan) team of the Refugee Assistance Project (RAP) in May 1999. RAP provides essential relief services to 125,000 refugees, and is CARE-Kenya’s largest programme in the country.