Schoolchildren pick up sachets of oral rehydration salts distributed by USAID/OFDA partner Mercy Corps at a community hygiene promotion and cholera prevention education event near Mirebalais, Haiti.

Kendra Helmer, USAID

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs represent vital components of USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) responses, as disaster-affected populations are more susceptible to illness and death from waterborne diseases. WASH interventions in emergencies often include construction or repair of latrines, hygiene support, solid waste removal, and the provision of safe drinking water. USAID/OFDA also links emergency WASH activities with transition and development programs funded by other USAID offices and involves institutional partners—such as local governments—to promote the sustainability of water- and hygiene-focused projects. USAID/OFDA support to operational research also enables the development and testing of improved emergency sanitation options for challenging environments, such as densely populated or flood-prone areas.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Archive

• Sector Updates