Emergency Sanitation in Tsunami affected Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India

Sanitation is one of the biggest issues during the case of an emergency. It is also the most challenging as most of the populations have been practicing open defecation before the disaster. The relatively low population density and wide-open areas on coast minimized the risk due to open defecation. The displacement of affected population to camps away from the coast has altered the conditions considerably and there is certainly a need for safe excreta disposal especially where population is large. Women find it all the more difficult as the usual areas are no longer accessible or are too far from the camps and the need for privacy was expressed by every woman interviewed. Agencies including PWD have taken up construction of latrines of varied designs all across the affected areas. There was however a general concern as the facilities provided are either not being used or not being maintained well. The toilets were filled up very early because of faulty design. This has lead to most unhygienic conditions near the camps and was also the major cause for ground water contamination. This paper has been an attempt by the author by providing a safe and secure pour flush toilet (Rural Pan) with appropriate considerations for less soil infiltration one of the reasons for early fill up.