the human right to water and sanitation in emergency situations

Checking availability of sufficient and continuous water supply - “The water supply for each
person must be sufficient and continuous for personal and domestic uses 123 ”
- Is there a water source in the immediate vicinity of the home?
- How much water is available per person per day?
- Is the available water quantity restricted? Is there enough clean water not only for drinking, but also for cooking
and personal hygiene?
- Is water always available or only during certain periods?
- Are people often disconnected? Are there alternative sources of water that can be used if this occurs?
- Are there often breakdowns of the water supply? How long do they last and are they automatically repaired?
Checking physical accessibility - “Sufficient, safe and acceptable water must be accessible within,
or in the immediate vicinity, of each household, educational institution and workplace. (…) Physical
security should not be threatened during access to water facilities and services.”
- Is there a water source within physical reach? Are water collection points close enough to where people live?
- How much time do people spend on collecting water, including waiting time at the source?
- Is it safe to go to the source and to use it, or do people have to fear harassment or physical violence?
- Is it safe for women, children and vulnerable people to collect water alone?
Checking economic accessibility - “Water, and water facilities and services, must be affordable for all”.
- What is the cost of water and/or connection fees? Have prices risen a lot recently?
- How much of their income do people spend on water?
- How high are prices compared to the minimum wage?
- Are prices controlled or fixed by public authorities?
- Are there subsidies or similar mechanisms that lower the cost of provision of the basic water supply?
- Is there a free basic supply for those who are unable to pay?
- Is the water point accessible for the handicapped, the elderly, children, pregnant women and, in general,
vulnerable people?
Checking non-discrimination - “Water and water facilities and services must be accessible to all,
including the most vulnerable or marginalized sections of the population, in law and in fact, without
discrimination on any of the prohibited grounds”.
- Is access to water denied to some groups because of their race, sex, national or social origin, or other
reasons?
- Is there discrimination in legislation or in any government policy and practice that violates the human
right to water of particular groups or individuals?
- In case of armed conflict, is the right of prisoners and detainees to water guaranteed?
- Are some people discriminated against (e.g. because of HIV/AIDS)?
- Are women discriminated against because of lack of proper consideration of the need for privacy?
123/ Ibid.
- Part 3 - Advocacy on the right to water and sanitation in emergencies
© ACF - THE HUMAN RIGHT TO WATER AND SANITATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
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