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WHO Technical Notes for Emergencies

These four page highly-illustrated notes have been 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 promotors, as well as staff from agency headquarters.

Please click the links below to view the pdfs.

Now also available in French! Click here for French editions.

Maintenant aussi disponible en Français! Cliquez ici pour les éditions françaises.

1. Cleaning and rehabilitating hand-dug wells
2. Cleaning and rehabilitating boreholes
3. Cleaning and disinfecting water storage tanks and tankers
4. Rehabilitating small-scale piped water distribution systems
5. Emergency treatment of drinking water at the point of use
6. Rehabilitating water treatment works after an emergency
7. Solid waste management in emergencies
8. Disposal of dead bodies
9. How much water is needed
10. Hygiene promotion in emergencies
11. Measuring chlorine levels in water supplies
12. Delivering safe water by tanker
13. Planning for excreta disposal in emergencies
14. Technical options for excreta disposal
15. Cleaning wells after seawater flooding

Complete: all 15 notes in one file

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.

Other resources you may find helpful:

• Lessons learned in WASH. Response during rural flood emergencies:
  http://www.bvsde.paho.org/texcom/desastres/washrufl.pdf
• Lessons learned in WASH. Response during urban flood emergencies:
  http://www.bvsde.paho.org/texcom/desastres/washurbfl.pdf
• Flood disasters: Learning from previous relief operations:
  http://www.alnap.org/pool/files/ALNAP-ProVention_flood_lessons.pdf
• Drought relief in Ethiopia. Planning and management of feeding programmes. A practical guide (downloadable PDFs)

Please search the Knowledge Base for other useful resources.

© World Health Organization 2013. All rights reserved. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use.