posted on 2018-02-12, 15:08authored byElisabeth von Muench, Annette Ochs, Gary Amy, Helen Mwase, Jean F. Fesselet
This paper describes the potential of ecological sanitation (ecosan), and in particular of urine-diversion dehydrating
(UDD) toilets, to provide sustainable excreta disposal in emergency situations in low-income countries. Three case studies
of emergency sanitation were analysed: El Salvador (hurricane), Afghanistan (civil war) and Pakistan (earthquake).
The analysis of these case studies has shown that the systems implemented in the long-term phase of the emergency were
sometimes more sustainable than what was in place before the emergency occurred. For UDD toilets to be viable during
emergency situations, specific criteria have to be in place. The essential criteria include awareness and expertise among
aid agencies, ease of transportation and quick installation of standardised UDD units, stage and duration of emergency
and the role of government in sanitation provision. For emergency situations in low-income countries, we propose the
use of UDD toilets (e.g. with pre-fabricated urine-diversion squatting pans) as a suitable excreta management option,
particularly in those instances where pit latrines are not sustainable in the longer term.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)
Published in
WEDC Conference
Citation
VON MUENCH, E. ... et al, 2006. Provision of sustainable sanitation in emergency situations: role of ecosan. IN: Fisher, J. (ed). Sustainable development of water resources, water supply and environmental sanitation: Proceedings of the 32nd WEDC International Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 13-17 November 2006, pp. 506-509.
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