Decision support system for the provision of emergency sanitation

Abstract

Proper provision of sanitation in emergencies is considered a life-saving intervention. Without access to sanitation, refugees at emergency camps are at a high risk of contracting diseases. Even the most knowledgeable relief agencies have experienced difficulties providing sanitation alternatives in such challenging scenarios. This study developed a computer-based decision support system (DSS) to plan a sanitation response in emergencies. The sanitation alternatives suggested by the DSS are based on a sanitation chain concept that considers different steps in the faecal sludge management, from the toilet or latrine to the safe disposal of faecal matters. The DSS first screens individual sanitation technologies using the user's given input. Remaining sanitation options are then built into a feasible sanitation chain. Subsequently, each technology in the chain is evaluated on a scoring system. Different sanitation chains can later be ranked based on the total evaluation scores. The DSS addresses several deficiencies encountered in the provision of sanitation in emergencies including: the application of standard practices and intuition, the omission of site specific conditions, the limited knowledge exhibited by emergency planners, and the provision of sanitation focused exclusively on the collection step (i.e., just the provision of toilets).

Strengthening the Human Right to Sanitation as an Instrument for Inclusive Development

“…Decision support systems and other assessment tools used in humanitarian situations improve disaster preparedness, coordinated response by humanitarian actors, and early detection of the immediate needs of the affected population (Jahre, Ergun & Goentzel, 2015), and related technological options (Zakaria, Garcia, Hooijmans & Brdjanovic, 2015), provided they incorporate the perspectives of the affected population. Assessment tools generally enhance risk management and operational continuity (Veeramany et al, 2016), promote learning and theory development across different disciplines and multiple levels of governance (Zommer, 2014), and advance the evaluation of vulnerabilities and the impacts of emergencies (Zachos, Swann, Altinakar, McGrath & Thomas, 2016).…”

Analisis Kondisi Sosial Ekonomi Masyarakat Terhadap Ketersediaan Sanitasi

“…Peningkatan kepemilikan sanitasi milik sendiri bukan berarti mampu menyelesaikan permasalahan perilaku buang air besar sembarangan, sebab fenomena yang terjadi di masyarakat masih banyak yang melakukan perilaku buang air besar sembarangan baik secara terbuka maupun terselubung disebabkan masyarakat yang belum mampu mengubah kebiasaan untuk melakukan perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat. Tanpa akses terhadap sanitasi, masyarakat memiliki resiko tertular penyakit yang tinggi (Zakaria, et al, 2015).…”

Assessment of Sustainable Sanitation Systems: Urban Slums

“…-Sanitation‖ could be defined in terms of environment referring to the maintained hygiene conditions of living beings in the environment. The scope of sanitation includes human excreta disposal, household wastewater disposal, and solid waste management techniques [1]. Improvement of sanitation systems in urban slums is one of the most highlighted issues, as improper sanitation systems results in public health risks including contracting diseases such as cholera, worms, diarrhea, skin/eye irritations and others [2].…”

“…Sustainability aspects such as technology, socio-culture, hygiene, economical value, and institutional are important for evaluation of each sanitation system selected for a specific urban slum [7]. Using these sustainability aspects, each sanitation system can be evaluated and ranked between all other alternative sustainable sanitation systems discussed for implementing in urban slums [1][2][3].…”