Development-oriented relief and recovery in the WASH Sector: a survey of current practice

There has been sustained interest of agencies working in the humanitarian WASH field to identify tools and approaches that do not create dependency amongst disaster-affected populations but rather empower communities and host nations to design and manage their own solutions and ensure sustainable service delivery. This study sought to identify such development-oriented relief and recovery approaches in WASH through a survey of direct personal and agency experiences in specific humanitarian contexts. Intentional focus on programme sustainability and adherence to established development principles at the outset of relief efforts was reportedly the over-arching causal link. This included a strong focus on continued local support and capacity-building, shifting ownership and responsibility to local stakeholders, and incorporating demand-led approaches and sustainable technologies.