Sanitation in emergency situations is paramount. Lack of sanitation can turn a manageable emergency into an unmitigated disaster affecting hundreds and thousands of people in a matter of just a few hours. The following are just a few considerations for ward and stake emergency representatives. The internet contains many more details, ideas, problems, and solutions that can be adapted to your local needs.
Personal Hygiene. Keeping your hands, face, and body clean will help you avoid diseases caused by bacteria. Have enough water, soap, wipes and other cleaning supplies available to take care of your family for at least 72 hours. You may not be able to shower or bathe, but you must be able to ensure that those handling food, providing medical care, or taking care of babies and children can keep themselves clean. Waste Disposal. Human waste may be the most dangerous problem we will face in an emergency or disaster situation. We probably will not be able to get rid of human waste by simply flushing the toilet. Cholera, dengue, dysentery and other diseases can become virulent where human waste is not disposed of properly. We will not be able to dispose of fecal material in an open latrine without contaminating ground water or attracting disease spreading flies and other vermin. We must have on hand enough heavy duty plastic bags to capture, contain, and store all solid waste until disposalservices can be restored and fecal material can be picked up and disposed of properly. Toilets can be lined with plastic bags and used to collect solid waste. Liquid waste (urine) should not be mixed with solid waste as it makes it much more difficult to handle. Urine is relatively harmless by itself. When mixed with feces, it is extremely toxic. Fecal material can cause severe sicknesses and even death. We must have plans and know how to manage human waste as a first priority. Other waste, i.e. food, garbage, and trash becomes more dangerous the longer it sits around without proper handling. Food Preparation. Dirty dishes, utensils, food preparation areas can make a lot of people extremely sick in a short time. Detergent and soap, if not completely rinsed off cleaned dishes etc. can cause diarrhea to an entire group of people sharing cooking and food preparation items. Dishes and utensils must be cleaned in the hottest water possible and rinsed in boiling water if at all possible.Dish washing areas must be planned and located where dirty water can be drained away without contaminating ground water. Provisions must be made for mats or other means of keeping washers out of standing water. Living Spaces. Living space must be kept neat and clean. Dirt, clutter, trash, spills can quickly contaminate a space shared by dozens or hundreds of people in and emergency shelter. Garbage collection will be a critical task.
There any number of other sanitation issues that we should all be aware of and respond to. The above are the most important, the most urgent, and the most critical if we are to avoid a bad situation turning into something much worse.
