title: Water and Sanitation Standards in Humanitarian Action.
abstract: The right to water and sanitation is an inextricable human right. Water and sanitation are critical determinants for survival in the initial stages of a disaster. An adequate amount of safe water is necessary to prevent death from dehydration, to reduce the risk of water-related disease and to provide for consumption, cooking and personal and domestic hygienic requirements. The main objective of WASH - (Water supply, Sanitation and Hygenie promotion) programmes in disasters is to reduce the transmission of faeco-oral diseases and exposure to disease-bearing vectors through the promotion of: good hygiene practices, the provision of safe drinking water, the reduction of environmental health risks, the conditions that allow people to a healthy life with dignity, comfort and security.
authors.affiliation: Ege University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ersel
keywords: Water; disasters; drainage; humanitarian response; hygenie promotion; sanitation; vector control; waste disposition