Research Case Analysis Example
WASH Campaigns in Ugandan Refugee Settlements
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is a campaign operating within Ugandan refugee settlements, aiming to promote hygienic habits and provide clean, reliable water sources. Organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Welt Hunger Hilfe, and Oxfam, the program utilizes specific communication tactics, emphasizing collaboration with locals to create long-lasting and effective solutions.
As of January 2020, Uganda has hosted 1,394,678 refugees, with an average of 169 Congolese refugees arriving daily (Comprehensive Refugee Responses - Uganda, 2021). This substantial influx of refugees strains resources for both refugees and citizens in local communities.
Vulnerable populations are more susceptible to the spread of disease and violence typical of underdeveloped regions. Women and girls, often responsible for water collection, face an increased risk of psychological, physical, and sexual violence due to the long journey to obtain water. Other vulnerable groups, like children, are 20% more likely to die from diseases transmitted through unsafe water or poor hygiene (Comprehensive Refugee Responses - Uganda, 2021).
The lack of potable water, knowledge of proper hygienic practices, and infrastructure to execute these practices has a domino effect. Without toilets, water sources are more likely to be contaminated due to open defecation. Without access to feminine care, there is a higher likelihood of disease spread. Lack of education on the topic increases the chances of these problems worsening (Water, sanitation, and hygiene, n.d.).
The WASH campaign aims to decrease the spread of disease by providing the necessary infrastructure to manage waste. Refugees working with Oxfam, a UNHCR partner, elect community leaders to promote hygienic practices, combat open defecation, build sanitary facilities, and encourage sterile practices (Refugees Fight Open Defecation Through Hygiene Promotion Campaign at Household Levels, n.d.).
A secondary goal is to become a resource for refugees and locals to learn more about hygienic practices and support them through educational programs. Studies sampling refugees on the topic show a lack of knowledge on sanitation practices; 58.3% believed that washing hands with soap was only necessary if they were dirty or smelled bad (Barriers and Motivators to Participation in Hand Washing Promotion Programs at Household Level Among Refugees in Rhino Settlement, Arua District Uganda, 2020). This lack of knowledge should not be misconstrued as an inability to devise solutions but as an indication of limited access to knowledge.
Lastly, the WASH campaign works to create a monitoring system. The system includes a KAP survey (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices) as a household survey to gauge local water access and hygiene practices. Additionally, there is a monthly report card filled out annually by officers based on water sanitation services applied by the UNHCR. The GIS portal is an online data management system that logs data on water portals in different camps (UNHCR WASH Monitoring System Overview, 2021).
The WASH campaign tirelessly integrates the community into the program, emphasizing the importance of creating open and honest dialogue among local community members to assess their needs and preferences ('Community Engagement in WASH - How it Works in Practice,' 2021).
The campaign adheres to specific moral guidelines, ensuring that every effort is evidence-based, needs-based, technically sound, impact-oriented, priority-based, integrated with the community, and rights-based (UNHCR WASH Handbook, 2020). Despite challenges, including difficulties garnering community involvement, the campaign plays a crucial role in filling gaps left by government monitoring systems.
A lack of resources makes it nearly impossible for people to execute proper hygiene practices, with or without the knowledge that they should be doing it. In a study sampling 312 respondents, only 39.4% have hand-washing facilities or stations in their households (Barriers and Motivators to Participation in Hand Washing Promotion Programs at Household Level Among Refugees in Rhino Settlement, Arua District Uganda, 2020).
These studies highlight the challenges faced by the population but can be used as a gauge to demonstrate the successes of the WASH campaign. Welt Hunger Hilfe, a UNHCR partner, works to incorporate refugees into building essential infrastructure. Moses, a refugee in Uganda, serves as a hygiene promoter, helping build latrines and provide access to water and sanitation facilities (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, n.d.). Moses not only assists refugees in Uganda but also collects knowledge to share upon his return to Sudan (The Water Savers of Bidibidi, 2017).
The UNHCR WASH monitoring system is one of the best ways to gauge the campaign's success. 'When government monitoring systems do not exist, UNHCR collects data on households and communities to try to meet the standards and targets relevant to refugee emergencies and situations' (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, n.d.). Personal testimonies from those involved in the campaign further demonstrate its impact.
The campaign does well at addressing significant issues with ethical solutions, but there are recommendations that could enhance its success. The program should better accommodate those in truly desperate situations, considering the traumatic experience of being a refugee.
The integration of current refugees is a notable aspect of the campaign, and expanding this approach, even offering a stipend for their work, could significantly encourage more people to become involved. Targeting individuals who may be less motivated to make changes, such as families with 6 to 10 members, could be beneficial (UNHCR WASH Handbook, 2020).
There is a prosperous future ahead for the WASH campaign. Its strategic model is admirable, and the growth of the campaign is inevitable. The campaign's ability to provide potable water, increased education sources, data collection, and hygienic infrastructure has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of refugees. The approach of 'modify, consult, and consult again' should serve as an example for other campaigns with similar aims. The key takeaway is the meaningful impact on a community when their voices are heard, and their opinions receive the validation they deserve.
References:
UNHCR. (2020, July 14). Comprehensive refugee responses - uganda. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn1CfAjMWWM
OXFAM. (2020, May 19). Community engagement in wash (water, sanitation & hygiene) – how it works in practice. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zUOCqovlL0
UNHCR. (2021, January 5). UNHCR Wash Monitoring System Overview. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CoS9ssyc_0
Water, sanitation and hygiene. UNHCR. (n.d.). https://www.unhcr.org/what-we-do/protect-human-rights/public-health/water-sanitation-and-hygiene
UNHCR Emergency Handbook . UNHCR WASH. (n.d.). https://wash.unhcr.org/
Refugees fight open defecation through hygiene promotion campaign at Household Levels. Oxfam in Uganda. (n.d.). https://uganda.oxfam.org/refugee-community-fight-open-defecation-through-hygiene-promotion-campaign-household-levels
Henning, P. (n.d.). The Water Savers of Bidibidi - Welthungerhilfe. Welthungerhilfe.de - Für eine Welt ohne Hunger und Armut. https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/news/latest-articles/the-water-savers-of-bidibidi
Namara , F., Omona, K., & Mbabazi, S. (2020, May 5). Barriers and motivators to participation in hand washing promotion programs at household level among refugees in Rhino Settlement, Arua District _ Uganda.
Source 1: (Comprehensive Refugee Responses - Uganda, 2021)
Source 2: (Community Engagement in WASH - how it works in practice, 2021)
Source 3: (UNHCR WASH Monitoring System Overview, 2021)
Source 4: (Water, sanitation and hygiene, n.d.)
Source 5: (UNHCR WASH Handbook, 2020)
Source 6: (Refugees Fight Open Defecation Through Hygiene Promotion Campaign At Household Levels, n.d.)
Source 7: (The Water Savers of Bidibidi, 2017)
Source 8: (Barriers and motivators to participation in hand washing promotion programs at household level among refugees in Rhino Settlement, Arua District Uganda, 2020).
