English |

Safe water is essential to life and health. People can survive longer without food than without water. Thus the provision of water demands immediate attention from the start of a refugee emergency. The aim is to assure availability of enough water to allow sufficient distribution and to ensure that it is safe to drink. Adequate storage and backup systems for all aspects of water supply must be assured, since interruptions in the supply may be disastrous. To avoid contamination, all sources of water used by refugees must be separated from sanitation facilities and other sources of contamination. It is important, however, to bear in mind the fact that due to difficulties in predicting the lifespan of a refugee camp, the most appropriate alternative will always be the one which adapts better to a cost-effective long term service.