Addressing school water, sanitation and hygiene for the recovery phase in Haiti 2010

This paper examines the water, sanitation and hygiene situation in 42 schools in the West Department of Haiti, after the 12th January 2010 earthquake. The aim of the study is to provide an assessment of the water and sanitation facilities in the project schools, analyzing the different stakeholders involved, and to underline challenges and opportunities for project implementation during the recovery phase. Direct observations showed that schools lack safe drinking water, appropriate sanitation and hand washing facilities; likewise hygiene promotion is not included in the school curriculum. Semi-structured interviews with schools directors revealed that main constraints to improve the water, sanitation and hygiene services are related to lack of funding and infrastructures loss after the earthquake. Providing schools with water and sanitation facilities and supporting the implementation of hygiene promotion programmes, including a disaster risk reduction and preparedness plan, can play a significant role for a sustainable recovery phase.