Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
In Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) we provide evidence to support better WASH policy, advocacy and practice in developing countries. Committed to ethical principles of participation and equity, we provide knowledge and know-how to support technical, economic, environmental and social sustainability in the WASH sector in Asia, Pacific and elsewhere. We are leaders in economic analysis and sustainability assessment to inform infrastructure decision-making and support a service-delivery approach. We also offer expertise in integrating gender equality and in measuring the effectiveness of WASH approaches.
The Institute is a member of international groups working to improve action on WASH, including the Sanitation and Water for All partnership and the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance. ISF is also a founding member of the Australian WASH Reference Group, which comprises NGOs, academic institutions and Australian water industry associations.
Recent activities and related resources:
WASH sector data and country briefing papers
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WASH access and indicators tool (2011) collates information from a range of global databases for 52 countries. This Excel tool summarises WASH global data including UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Program data by country and includes a function to rank countries for different datasets. Prepared for AusAID. |
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WASH sector briefing papers (2011) for 20 countries. These briefing papers provide baseline information about the current situation and sector trends including access, health, governance, climate change and water resources and sector monitoring. Prepared for AusAID.
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| Click on the country names below to access the relevant briefing paper. | |||
| Angola | Kiribati | Papua New Guinea | Timor Leste |
| Bangladesh | Lao PDR |
Samoa | Vanuatu |
| Burma | Malawi | Solomon Islands | Vietnam |
| Cambodia | Mozambique | South Africa | Zambia |
| Indonesia | Nepal | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe |
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WASH access and indicator maps collate information about 52 countries from a range of global databases in a series of regional maps. These maps show WASH global data in various combinations by region (Africa, South Asia and Middle East, Southeast Asia, Pacific) including UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Program data. Prepared for AusAID. |
WASH Conferences 2011 and Sanitation and Water Conference 2008
Institute researchers co-organised both conferences with the Australian WASH Reference Group, IWC and AusAID, and led authorship of the synthesis reports from the two recent AusAID supported international conferences. Click below to access reports.
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| Download/view the WASH Conference 2011 report | Download/view the WASH Conference 2008 synthesis report |
Working effectively with women and men in WASH
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A research partnership between ISF, International Women’s Development Agency, Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji and World Vision Vanuatu. Research case studies, poster, flash cards and practical guidance material available for download at www.genderinpacificwash.info |
Inclusive WASH community of practice
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In partnership with the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA), ISF is leading the gender and WASH stream of this Australian WASH Reference group initiative, which offers live webinars and interactive discussion between practitioners. Read more about inclusive WASH at www.inclusivewash.org.au. |
Promoting learning in civil society WASH programs
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The Institute worked with WaterAid to design, deliver and document three learning events for the AusAID Civil Society WASH Fund 2010-2011. The learning events brought together more than 100 practitioners from 21 countries to share experiences and build expertise on sustainable WASH. Read stories from participants at www.learningfund.org.au/ |
Investigating the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of sanitation options for Can Tho, Vietnam.
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The Institute undertook a study assessing the costs and sustainability aspects of a range of sanitation options for a peri-urban area in Can Tho, Vietnam, in partnership with Can Tho University and Can Tho Water and Sewerage Company. This research was awarded the 2011 International Water Association (IWA) Project Innovation Award for applied sanitation research in a developing country context and was supported through the AusAID Australian Development Research Awards Program. |
Download related papers:
Willetts, J.R., Carrard, N.R., Retamal, M.L., Mitchell, C.A., Nguyen, H., Nguyen Dinh Giang Nam, & Paddon, M. 2010, 'Cost-effectiveness analysis as a methodology to compare sanitation options in peri-urban Can Tho, Vietnam', IRC WASH Cost Symposium, Den Haag, Netherlands, November 2010 in Pumps, Pipes and Promises. Costs, Finances and Accountability for Sustainable WASH Services. View/Download
Retamal, M., Willetts, J., Mitchell, C. & Carrard, N. 2011, 'Modelling costs for water and sanitation infrastructure: comparing sanitation options for Can Tho, Vietnam' 35th WEDC International Conference, Loughborough, UK, 2011. View/Download
Child health and WASH investment in PNG
ISF worked with WaterAid Australia to identify the links between WASH and child health in PNG, which demonstrates the critical need for increased investment in WASH. This work has been prepared as a supplement to the WaterAid research report Fatal Neglect. Download/view this report
Sustainable urban water management in the context of climate adaptation
The Institute is working with CSIRO investigating water and sanitation scenarios in the context of climate adaptation in Can Tho, Vietnam. The research forms part of the CSIRO-AusAID Research for Development Alliance.
NGO Partnerships in the WASH sector
In collaboration with the International Water Centre, ISF investigated NGO partnerships, capacity development and state/local government engagement in the WASH sector to inform planning and investment through AusAID’s Water and Sanitation Initiative. Countries included in the study are Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
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Willetts, J.R., Pedi, D., Carrard, N.R., Powell, B. & de Lacy, I. 2008, 'NGO partnerships and capacity development in the water sanitation and hygiene sector', The International Water Centre (IWC) and the Institute for Sustainable Futures. View/Download |
View more ISF international development projects
ISF also leads research promoting sustainable water and sanitation futures in Australia and developed countries. Read more about our Australian Water and Sanitation research.
