Human waste management in first phase response, protecting ground water and human health: a case study from Haiyan 2013

This briefing paper presents a case study of a Peepoo implementation in first phase humanitarian response. The case is taken from the Philippines, post typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and aims to demonstrate a safe way of handling of human waste without risking the contamination of water. This briefing paper will outline how the organisations, ACF, arche noVa, Oxfam and Red Cross implemented the Peepoo solution and lesson learnt so far. Some of the key lessons learnt in the projects were that; it is preferred to have the Peepoos stocked locally in order to have them available for phase one in humanitarian response; training implementing staff on Peepoo prior to the intervention increases the probability of success; and exit strategies must be set up in order to secure good sanitation practices after the implementing organisations stop distributing Peepoos.