COVID-19 WASH Resources

These documents have been compiled in order to help WASH partners in refugee settings prepare and respond to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Document Last updated
A) Technical WASH Guidance for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response (UNHCR, 2020)
Key WASH guidance for COVID-19 preparedness and response to support regional and country operations in planning and resource mobilization. These are based on WHO technical guidelines and UNHCR guidance for operations. English Français Español
March 2020
B) COVID-19 WASH Preparedness and Response Rapid Checklist (UNHCR, 2020)
Rapid checklist of key WASH preparedness and response activities for COVID-19 to support regional and country operations in planning and resource mobilization. These are based on WHO technical guidelines and UNHCR guidance for operations and where relevant operation or site level outbreak preparedness and response plans. English Français Español
March 2020
C) WASH Preparedness and Response COVID-19 Webinar (UNHCR, 2020)
This second webinar summarizes UNHCR operational messages on WASH preparedness and response to COVID-19. English Français
March 2020
D) COVID-19 WASH Technical Brief (WHO, UNICEF 2020)
This Technical Brief summarizes WHO guidance on water, sanitation and health care waste which is relevant for viruses (including coronaviruses). This Technical Brief is written in particular for water and sanitation practitioners and providers. PDF
March 2020
E) WASH Preparedness and Response COVID-19 (UNHCR, 2020)
This webinar summarizes UNHCR operational messages on WASH preparedness and response to COVID-19. PDF
March 2020
F) WASH and Energy Checklist for Health Facilities (UNHCR, 2020)
A WASH and Energy Checklist for rapid assessments of Health Facilities in refugee contexts.. PDF
March 2020
G) UNHCR Key Activities for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response (UNHCR, 2020)
The following is a breakdown of key considerations for COVID-19 preparedness and response to support regional and country operations in planning and resource mobilization. These are based on WHO technical guidelines and UNHCR guidance for operations and where relevant operation or site level outbreak preparedness and response plans. PDF
March 2020
H) Scaling up COVID-19 Readiness and Response in Camps (IASC, 2020)
This Interim Guidance addresses specific needs and considerations required in humanitarian situations, including camps and camp-like settings and the surrounding host communities, in scaling-up readiness and response operations for the COVID-19 outbreak through effective multi-sectoral partnership. The Guidance is developed in alignment with the WHO COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. PDF
March 2020
I) Global WASH Cluster Webinar on WASH for Preventing COVID-19
PowerPoint PPT presentation from the webinar held on 11 Mar 2020 with WASH Cluster Members providing brief overview of the COVID-19 WASH situation, WASH response, technical resources, and WASH partner updates. Webinar Video and PPT
March 2020
J) COVID-19 Key Actions in Schools (UNICEF, WHO, IFRC 2020)
Guidance for COVID-19 prevention and control in schools including actions for school administrators, teachers, staff, parents, community members, and students. PDF
March 2020
K) The SPHERE Standards and the Coronavirus (SPHERE, 2020)
SPHERE guidance related to how humanitarian actors can best respond to the COVID-19 outbreak including fundamental principles, and relevant standards. PDF
March 2020
L) Handwashing with Soap for Coronavirus Prevention Practical Tips (Wash’Em)
This resource reminds us the simple act of handwashing with soap remains the best defense against coronavirus, other outbreak pathogens and common global killers such as diarrhoeal diseases and respiratory infections. In this guide we give you practical tips for how to encourage community-level handwashing behaviour with the aim of controlling and preventing the spread of the coronavirus. PDF
March 2020
M) Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Checklist for Healthcare Facilities (WHO, 2010)
This Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework is a systematic tool with which to obtain a situation analysis of hand hygiene promotion and practices within an individual health-care facility. PDF
March 2020
N) How to Make a Mild Chlorine Solution 0.05% (CDC, 2018)
This simple poster describes how to make a simple mild chlorine solution of 0.05% for handwashing in healthcare facilities and public locations. PDF
March 2020
O) How to Make a Strong Chlorine Solution 0.5% from Chlorine Powder (CDC, 2018)
This simple poster describes how to make a simple strong chlorine solution of 0.5% using chlorine powder for disinfection in healthcare facilities and public latrines. PDF
March 2020
P) How to Make a Strong Chlorine Solution 0.5% from Bleach (CDC, 2018)
This simple poster describes how to make a simple strong chlorine solution of 0.5% using bleach for disinfection in healthcare facilities and public latrines. PDF
March 2020
Q) Condensed Guidance on Disinfection Solutions (UNHCR, 2020)
This condensed guidance note has been written to summarize the various low and intermediate strength disinfectants, their uses, advantages and disadvantages, and how to formulate them using various chlorine compounds. PDF
March 2020
R) WASH Monthly Report Card for Remote Monitoring for COVID (UNHCR, 2020)
During COVID-19 it is critical to continue monitoring WASH services. For those areas where travel restrictions are in place or where access to UNHCR camps or settlements is controlled it may be necessary to collect the necessary data for the monthly report card via a telephone survey with partners or community leaders. This document can be used to collect the information on 8 community level “access” indicators. Word
May 2020