Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Emergencies: Summary Review and Recommendations for Further Research

This summary review by Brown et al. (2013) published in Waterlines presents an overview of current knowledge about what works to prevent disease in emergency WASH response. Providing safe water, safe excreta disposal, and basic hygiene measures such as hand washing with soap are effective interventions both within emergency settings as well as in longer-term development, but innovation and further research are needed to make WASH response more effective. This paper thus proposes key areas for critical research to support the evidence base for WASH interventions in emergencies and promote innovation.