Role of local actors in WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) during disaster recovery: policy implications from evidence in Odisha, India

Abstract

There is a paucity of empirical insights on how existing policies in disaster recovery and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) play out during disaster recovery in the Global South. This paper addresses this critical gap using the case study of 2013 Cyclone Phailin in Odisha. The data was collected through participatory and learning action tools and semi-structured interviews with key informants. This study found pervasive exclusion of women and local actors from recovery decision-making. The policies and guidance at national and subnational level lacked clear emphases on roles and responsibilities of the local governments, and did not emphasise their role in setting recovery objectives and priorities. We conclude that existing policies should emphasise immediate as well as longer-term WASH needs, adopt a multi-hazard perspective in preparedness and WASH policies, and feature WASH during recovery in the existing manuals, policies and programmes.

A systematic review of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) during humanitarian crises and/or emergencies in low- and middle-income countries

“…In a Bangladeshi refugee camp, laundry facilities had many open washing booths with a shower curtain divider between each stall to allow ladies an added degree of privacy when cleaning compassionate things ( 38 ). Similarly, immediately after the floods, humanitarian organizations-built privacy screens made of tarpaulin sheets near the walls of washrooms for displaced residents ( 39 ). Furthermore, assisting one another through resource sharing was common among female refugees: they shared physical resources while respecting each other's dignity ( 15 ).…”

“…According to a study conducted in a refuge setting of Bangladesh, women did not change their clothes, rags, or pads every 4 h since they were unaware of the need ( 36 ). Similarly, studies found that girls lacked adequate knowledge on the frequency of changing their pads and its disposal method ( 35 , 36 , 39 , 40 ). Participants also noted the problems they had while attempting to use disposable pads efficiently for the first time because of insufficient guidance ( 44 ).…”

“…Women had difficulty locating private spaces within their shelters to change, wash, and dry their reusable clothes ( 18 , 39 ). As a result, they had to use their menstrual products for long hours comprising hygiene and could change it while going for open defecation or bathing near water bodies or shrubs in the early morning or late at night ( 39 , 44 ).…”

“…Besides, access to water points was difficult in flood-prone areas, limiting women's and girls' privacy in washing their menstrual linen near water sources (because the blood washed into open drains was visible to others) forcing women to travel long distances in the dark (before sunrise or late at night) to cater to their personal needs ( 39 ). Recognizing the need for more water during menstruation and the scarcity of water in disaster scenarios, many women were concerned about receiving a negative response from men if they were spotted using extra water ( 33 ).…”

Do natural disasters affect economic growth? The role of human capital, foreign direct investment, and infrastructure dynamics

“…Investment in water and sanitation is beneficial for equity, economic development, security, dignity, and time savings [ 71 ]. Sanitation and water increase the resilience of healthcare systems [ 72 ]. Electricity is used in three stages of disaster management including mitigation, resilience, and recovery [ 73 ].…”