Systematic improvements in humanitarian WASH services: Uganda refugee settlements

Provision of appropriate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services is important in reducing morbidity and mortality that are caused by communicable diseases. However, there are a mix of challenges in accessing WASH services in humanitarian situations including vulnerability by age and disability. World Vison Uganda systematically implemented a three-one year inclusive WASH project in refugee settlements in Uganda to improve access for people with disabilities. The project involved engagement of key stakeholders to identify and discuss challenges and reflect on any past experience on similar projects, actual construction of inclusive facilities and conducting participatory accessibility audit of constructed WASH facilities. Lessons learnt in the accessibility audit of one project were keenly integrated in subsequent projects to increasingly improve design, implementation and access to people with disabilities in refugee settlements. Communities increasingly noted improvement in access to WASH and increased enrolment of children with disabilities in primary and secondary schools.