Evaluation of a Demand Led Biosand Filter Programme In the Complex Emergency Context of Afghanistan

This study evaluates the effectiveness and sustainable impact of a ‘demand led’ biosand filter (BSF) programme in the complex emergency context of Afghanistan. On the whole the technical performance of the BSF was good and the filters were shown to be effective in removing on average 91.7% of the E.coli bacteria. Users strongly believed that drinking filtered water from the BSF was resulting in a positive impact on their health. This is a key factor which has led to sustained use of the filters amongst 94% of the households surveyed. The BSF is affordable for 55% of the population who fall within the middle to upper income bracket, and demand has been created so that all BSF manufacturers were able to supplement their income from their BSF manufacturing business. When compared with other programmes in more stable development contexts, the research shows that, in the complex emergency context of Afghanistan a demand led BSF programme has been able to achieve a comparable level of effectiveness, impact and sustainability.