While anecdotes of approaches to sanitation in complex urban humanitarian response exist, there is a need for research and development to mainstream emerging technologies to meet the challenges. In response to the wide-spread devastation and mass internal displacement caused by the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oxfam GB trialled standard bag and Peepoo excreta disposal systems in two IDP settlements. Trial results demonstrated that both bag types are viable excreta disposal options. Based on these positive results, bag excreta disposal methodologies were further studied in additional IDP settlements in Port-au-Prince to create key programmatic recommendations including a six-step methodology for contingency planning for disaster-prone areas. Further research is still needed into the cost effectiveness and phase-out points for bag excreta disposal systems.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)
Published in
WEDC Conference
Citation
PATEL, D., 2011. Excreta disposal in emergencies: the use of bag systems in challenging urban contexts. IN: Shaw, R.J. (ed). The future of water, sanitation and hygiene in low-income countries - Innovation, adaptation and engagement in a changing world: Proceedings of the 35th WEDC International Conference, Loughborough, UK, 6-8 July 2011, 4p.p.
This work is made available according to the conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence. Full details of this licence are available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/