Sanitation management and information technology in Za'atari refugee camp, Jordan

As a response to the declining conditions of sanitation infrastructure in Za’atari refugee camp, Jordan, a WASH repair and maintenance programme was launched in 2014 and has been running since. One of the programme’s main features is the use of a tailor-made computer database system. This paper describes the Repair and Maintenance programme as it was designed and implemented by the NGO ACTED, shows how the database structure and end-user interface fit the programme’s logic, and describes the database operational applications. The overall conclusion is that the database enhances management in terms of performance, efficiency and accountability. The adoption of similar approaches in other WASH and non-WASH programmes is recommended.