This case study looks at some of the activities and interventions that took place in communities affected by the earthquake in Banian Union Council in Battagram district, in northern Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province on 8 October, 2005.

Overview

Activities and interventions undertaken aimed to improve hygiene practices and behaviour while encouraging gender equity and community participation. They were based on the minimum SPHERE standards for emergencies and the Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) process. PHAST is a participatory approach that enables service providers to work with communities, helps people feel more confident and empowers them to make decisions on key hygiene practices and behaviour within the family and community.

Some of the challenges faced, in terms of providing sanitation facilities in Pakistan, were related to cultural practices. Lack of community consultation at the beginning of the intervention led to limited results. This situation radically changed when the community participation element was developed through the PHAST process.

Usage: Learning from experience

Audience: Technical staff