Expanding preparedness - integrating emergency response with water sector development in the S(P)EEDWater tool

During humanitarian crises, emergency response organizations are confronted with a high level of complexity and dynamically changing priorities. Importance of the selection of water methods is amplified when considered that some of the solutions may support local or regional water sectors beyond the period of relief actions. The S(P)EEDWater decision-support tool attempts to reconcile emergency response goals of water delivery with considerations of water sector development. The tool contains peer-reviewed information on more than seventy water supply methods and their multi-disciplinary assessment according to criteria of (i) disaster/conflict, (ii) natural environment, (iii) technological, (iv) economic and (v) socio-cultural issues. This paper identifies key considerations to expand preparedness already in the post-relief phases of emergency interventions. It describes the approach, structure and set-up of the S(P)EEDWater tool and presents an initial assessment of the approach.