WASH interventions in emergencies and outbreaks: two systematic reviews and impact analyses

There is a lack of evidence-base for WASH interventions in emergencies, although many agencies collect various types of evidence that is not formally published or widely shared. The aim of this work is to help provide policy relevant evidence of WASH interventions by summarizing the information collected by NGOs, UN agencies, or local governments responding to humanitarian emergencies and disease outbreaks. A systematic search covered academic databases, agency websites, and direct solicitation of humanitarian actors. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, as well as, both published and grey literature were eligible for review. More than 15,000 manuscripts were identified, 1,500 abstracts assessed, and 500 full texts reviewed. Final included manuscripts will be summarized using the GRADE summary of findings around the themes of: use of service; health-related outcomes; non-health related outcomes; barriers and facilitators to implementation; and cost-effectiveness. This work will establish a real-world evidence-base for humanitarian WASH policy.