Rural Sanitation Programming in Challenging Contexts: A Desk-Based Review

The Sanitation Learning Hub, UNICEF, and WaterAid commissioned this study to map rural sanitation approaches in challenging contexts and the guidance currently being used, drawing out emerging experiences and lessons. It involved key informant interviews (KIIs) with 44 interviewees, and consulting over 180 documented resources. This rapid desk review collated preliminary findings across five broad ‘categories’ of challenges: Poverty and social marginalisation Entrenched attitudes and social beliefs Tough physical environments Lifestyles and livelihoods Fragile contexts This initial landscaping study identifies gaps and provides recommendations on how to address some of them.

Document repository: A repository was created as part of the review. It contains 333 resources found, as of October 2020. Documents were identified through the researchers own files, internet searches, and those provided by the commissioning organisations and key informant interviews from the sanitation sector. It is available here.