Camp Siting, Sanitation and

Waste Disposal

“Everyone has the right to adequate housing … and includes the right to live in security, peace and dignity, and with security of tenure.”

Sphere Project 2011

Shelter and Settlement

Disaster

Pre-Disaster Settled

Population

Post-Disaster Non

Displaced Population

Post-Disaster

Displaced Population

Durable Solutions

Reconstruction

Resettlement

Reintegration

Shelter and Settlement

• Return to original dwellings

• Settle independently within host

community/host families

• Mass shelter, temporary

planned or self – settled camps

Aims of Site Selection

• Security against violence

• Provide protection from natural

hazards e.g. the elements,

earthquake aftershock, etc.

• Provide privacy and ‘own space’

Principles of Site Selection

• Topography and location

• Soil type

• Availability of water

• Area of real estate available

• Access

• Vegetation

• Environmental Health Hazards

• Political and security issues

• Social, legal and cultural issues

‘Safe excreta disposal is a major priority,

and in most disaster situations should be addressed with as much speed and effort as the provision of safe water supply. The

provision of appropriate facilities for defecation is one of a number of

emergency responses essential to people’s dignity, safety, health and well –

being’

Sphere Project 2011

Immediate Action

• Localise defecation.

• Develop appropriate excreta disposal

system.

• Establish inspection and reporting

system.

• Establish effective services for

disposal of other waste.

Disabled/Older people

Privacy

• Maximum of 20 people per toilet

ASAP.

• Arranged by household(s) and/or

segregated by sex.

• No more than 50m/1 minute’s walk

from dwelling.

• Separate toilets for women and men

in ‘public’ areas – markets, health

posts, distribution, etc.

• Handwashing facilities.

Disposal of the Dead

“the diseased are much more of a

problem then the deceased”

‘The management and/or burial of dead bodies from natural disasters should be dealt with in an appropriate and dignified manner. ’

Sphere Project 2011

The Risk

• Normally limited immediate health

risk.

• Risk is dependant on cause of

death.

• Health considerations provide no

justification for cremation.

• Availability of sufficient fuel.

Considerations

• Suitable arrangements from the start of

emergency situation.

• Co-ordinate with local or national

authorities.

• Burial is simplest and best method.

• Anticipate real estate.

• Bodies must be protected.

• Arrangements should allow for

traditional ritual. Bodies should be

identified and recorded.

• Provisions for recovery of bodies.

• Forensic implications.

• Mass graves should be:

• At least 30m from groundwater sources.

• Bottomed at least 1.5m above water table.

• Where possible 2m deep.

• Consider the use of lime.

• Welfare support for burial parties.

ANY QUESTION?

“We shall not finally defeat AIDS, TB,

Malaria, or any of the other infectious diseases that plague the developing world until we have also won the battle for safe drinking water, sanitation and basic health

care” Kofi Annan