Water- and sanitation-related diseases cause significant deaths and sickness in emergencies and refugee/IDP camps. Even without the disruption of an emergency, diarrhoea kills more than 30 000 children per week worldwide. In emergency situations, epidemics of diarrhoeal diseases can also cause a high death toll in the adult population.
In the initial phases of emergency response, the need for sanitation solutions that can secure effective disease prevention at the source is paramount. The promotion of hygienic practices including hand washing with soap after defecating or urinating, and the safe disposal of excreta, are the most critical routines that can be implemented to prevent widespread diarrhoeal infection. Preventing diarrhoeal infection by promoting hygienic practices should thus be priority number one in an emergency situation.
Many times, especially in difficult contexts, there is a lack of viable solutions and sufficient capacity to ensure that those who are directly affected have access to adequate sanitation. Unlike increased availability of water supply options, few toilet alternatives have been developed over the last thirty years. New innovative approaches are needed to having sanitation solutions available in the initial phase of an emergency.
Our idea is to have the Peepoo toilet prepositioned in order to have a sanitation intervention that can reach the affected populations within the fist 72 hours of a disaster. Peepoo sanitation system is well suitable for stock keeping as it has a low inventory cost. No infrastructure or field preparation is required for the Peepoo system. Peepoos come in sealed packs, containing toilets for one person for one month, as well a biodegradable disposal bag. This makes Peepoo quick to distribute in the field and available for use from day one. For implementation, one opportunity could be to include Peepoo in hygiene kits as well as in already established routines for hygiene promotion. The Peepoo sanitation system also offers a low maintenance and disposal cost when implemented. Since the human waste becomes harmless inside Peepoo after the sanitation period of four weeks and the material is completely biodegradable, it is safe to dispose of anywhere, preferably in the ground.
If Peepoo is prepositioned before the event of emergencies, Peepoo can help to save lives by effectively preventing the spread of disease at the source within the first critical 72 hours. Peepoo offers an opportunity for rapid widespread implementation in this crucial initial response phase.
Peepoo is a personal, single-use, self-sanitising, fully biodegradable toilet that prevents faeces from contaminating the immediate area as well as the surrounding ecosystem. The urea inside Peepoo inactivates harmful pathogens (bacteria, viruses and parasites) within four weeks. After use, Peepoo turns into valuable fertiliser that can improve livelihoods and increase food security.
Due to its self-sanitising attributes, Peepoo remains safe to hold and carry after use. Because scarce and valuable water resources are not required to use or dispose of Peepoo, the traditional link between water and sanitation is cut. In fact, water is only needed when the user washes his or her hands after defecating or urinating.
Compact in size and weighing 10 grams, Peepoo is designed to provide maximum hygiene and convenience using minimum material. Peepoo is in the form of a slim biodegradable bag, with an inner layer that unfolds to form a wide funnel. It is easy to store, handle and use. Peepoo is intended to be used only once, by one person, whenever and wherever needed.
Peepoo is designed to be used, while sitting, squatting or standing. For more convenience, Peepoo can also be placed on the Peepoo Kiti (seat) or on a small bucket and used as a chamber pot.
Peepoo offers the opportunity of a private and personal toilet at household level, available at any time, day and night. This gives the users easy access, which saves time and increases the safety for the user, especially for vulnerable populations, women and children.