UNHCR WASH Resources

Large Ferro-Cement Water Tank Design Parameters and Construction Details (UNHCR, 2006)


This document contains guidance, material specifications, bills of quantitiy, technical design drawings, and step-by-step constuction photos for three large 45m3, 70m3 and 90m3 circular water reservoirs constructed from ferrocement.


How to Support Survivors of GBV When a GBV Actor is Not Available in Your Area (IASC, 2015)


The “Pocket Guide” resource package V2.0 is a joint GBV Guidelines and GBV AoR resource designed to provide all humanitarian practitioners with concrete information on how to support a survivor of gender-based violence who disclosed to you in a context where there is no gender-based violence actor (including a referral pathway or GBV focal point) available in your area. The resource package uses global standards on providing basic support and information to survivors of GBV without doing further harm. We encourage adaptation of this resource to your local context with the support of a GBV specialist.


    Guidelines for Integrating GBV Interventions in Humanitarian Action – Essential Actions (IASC, 2015)


    This document consolidates the “essential actions and minimum commitments” tables from the comprehensive Guidelines on Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action (“GBV Guidelines”) and each sector-specific Thematic Area Guide (TAG) into one document that can be easily downloaded and/or printed to use as a quick reference tool during the earliest stages of acute emergency response. It is meant to support, but not replace, the comprehensive Guidelines and sector-specific TAGs. These tables provide key recommendations for each thematic area. The sector-specific minimum commitments appear in bold.


    Guidelines for Integrating GBV Interventions in Humanitarian Action – WASH Thematic Guide (IASC, 2015)


    This Thematic Area Guide (TAG) on WASH and gender-based violence is a portable tool that provides practical guidance for WASH professionals working to prevent and mitigate gender based violence in humanitarian settings.


    WASH in Schools for Girls E-Course


    This publication provides a summary of the 12 modules of the WASH in Schools for Girls E-Course developed by Emory University and UNICEF.


    Tools for Assessing Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools


    These tools for assessing menstrual hygiene management in schools were developed by Emory University and UNICEF in 2012 and are meant to be used and adapted for MHM assessments in schools around the world.


    Container-based Toilets with Solid Fuel Briquettes Guidelines


    These Best Practice Guidelines were developed by Sanivation, a private sanitation company based in Kenya under UNHCR’s “Waste to Value” Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Guidelines are based on ongoing operational research in Kakuma Refugee Camp in partnership with UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and will be update at the end of the Project in 2019.


    Tiger Worm Toilet Guidelines


    These Best Practice Guidelines were developed by Oxfam under UNHCR’s “Waste to Value” Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Guidelines are based on operational research conducted in 2016 and 2017 in Jewi Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, where the Tiger Worm Toilets remain in operation and under regular monitoring.


    UNHCR WASH Equipment Specifications


    This WASH Equipment Specifications Catalogue has been produced by UNHCR’s WASH and Procurement Departments to improve the acquisition and effective procurement of WASH relief items.

    The catalogue includes specifications and quality requirements for standard WASH equipment items such as pumps, tapstands, water tanks and water testing equipment.