WHO Technical Note No. 13: Planning for excreta disposal in emergencies

The pressure to help people immediately after a disaster often leads to actions starting before they have been properly planned. Experience shows that this results in a waste of resources and in poor service delivery; it seldom leaves long-term benefits for the affected community. Among other issues, this is the case for emergency disposal. This Technical Note is a guide to the planning process of excreta disposal during the first two phases of an emergency. Technical options are presented in Technical Note 14.

This is one of a series of four-page highly illustrated notes prepared by WEDC for the World Health Organization to assist those working immediately or shortly after an emergency to plan appropriate responses to the urgent and medium-term water and sanitation needs of affected populations.

The notes are relevant to a wide range of emergency situations, including both natural and conflict-induced disasters. They are suitable for field technicians, engineers and hygiene promoters, as well as staff from agency headquarters.

Prepared for WHO by WEDC. Author and Series Editor: Bob Reed. Editorial contributions, design and illustrations by Rod Shaw Line illustrations courtesy of WEDC / IFRC. Additional graphics by Ken Chatterton.

© World Health Organization 2013. All rights reserved.