Access to safe water and sanitation is a human right as declared by the United Nations. In carrying out their mandate to improve the conditions of vulnerable populations, much of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) and individual National Societies’ work is in the provision of water and sanitation services.
Water and sanitation programmes provide an integral link from disaster management to long-term organizational development.
Our organization always works with community leaders, and respects local customs and traditions. Local knowledge and advice is crucial. Once the community is committed, national government is informed and engineering work may commence. It is also important to establish and acknowledge effective international partnerships.
Scope
The policy applies to all water and sanitation programmes carried out by the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. National Societies and IFRC programming and advocacy incorporates water and sanitation objectives into general health and development programmes as well as emergency situations.
The IFRC’s basic health policy underlines the need for community-based health care. This cannot be achieved without addressing the issue of safe water and sanitation, one of the most important aspects of preventive public health.
Statement
The IFRC and each National Society shall:
- recognize the importance of regular information exchange between the water supply, sanitation sector and health information system and of analysis of health trends before, during and after any water and sanitation intervention to determine the project’s impact on the health of the beneficiaries
- acknowledge the need for appropriate assessment before any intervention, avoiding duplication by other organizations or governments
- recognize gender issues and the need for a gender-balanced approach to any water and sanitation intervention, with participation from all sections within the population in identifying key public health issues, especially recognising the needs of women and children
- ensure community participation and management in the programme, to reduce costs and to encourage ownership using techniques such as Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation
- acknowledge that the physical installation of pumps and pipes for water and sanitation are easier to implement than necessary changes in behaviour. Hygiene promotion must be established with or before hardware installations, even in emergencies
- recognize the need for well-designed projects that build on community capacities and local leadership in operation and maintenance skills, as well those of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- encourage the establishment of National Society water and sanitation strategies for which this policy provides the base
- ensure proper training of National Society staff, delegates and volunteers in technical, managerial and public health areas for most water and sanitation initiatives