Unpacking intersecting complexities for WASH in challenging contexts: A review.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Science
• Development Studies

Background:

• Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a global challenge, particularly in complex or difficult settings.
• Conventional WASH strategies often fail in these contexts, leaving communities without essential services.
• Sustainable Development Goals necessitate inclusive and effective WASH solutions for all demographics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze the intersecting complexities influencing WASH access in challenging contexts.
• To identify types of challenging contexts where conventional WASH approaches are ineffective.
• To propose a novel approach for designing contextually appropriate WASH solutions.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of existing WASH literature.
• Identification and categorization of seven broad types of challenging contexts.
• Exploration of environmental, economic, political, and social dimensions affecting WASH access.

Main Results:

• Failure to understand interconnected complexities leads to unaffordable, non-inclusive, or unsustainable WASH solutions.
• Seven challenging contexts identified: challenging environments, transient/environmentally-dependent, climate-vulnerable, remote, poor urban, refugee camps, and emergency contexts.
• Existing WASH interventions often overlook the interplay of multiple contextual factors.

Conclusions:

• A novel lens focusing on intersecting complexities is needed for WASH programming in challenging contexts.
• Early incorporation of this approach in program design ensures contextual appropriateness.
• This approach can guide the development of effective, equitable, and sustainable WASH solutions for underserved communities.