Our approach recognises water as a fundamental human right and essential resource for health, dignity, food security and livelihoods. National Societies and the IFRC work across the emergency to development continuum, addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term sustainable access.
Our community-driven approach recognises that successful water systems need more than just technical solutions. They must work with local leadership structures, respect traditional water and cultural practices, and fit environmental conditions.
Emergency water supply involves rapidly establishing systems to provide safe drinking water during acute crises such as natural disasters, conflicts, or disease outbreaks.
This can involve construction or rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure, support to service providers, cash transfer programming, temporary treatment and distribution systems or enabling people to treat and store water safely at household level. We engage with affected communities to understand cultural water practices and ensure approaches respect local preferences and norms.
Find out more about our WASH Surge Services on IFRCs GO Platform >>
Use the Compendium of Water Supply Technologies in Emergencies for a comprehensive and structured decision support tool, including detailed information on key decision criteria for all tried and tested emergency water supply technologies, and information on key cross-cutting issues.
Looking for practical tools for water testing, treatment or distriubution?
Visit our ToolboxOur focus is on reliable infrastructure and management systems that provide water services over the long term. We facilitate systems that serve multiple water needs – from drinking and hygiene to agriculture – while ensuring services remain affordable for all. Our approach carefully considers environmental impacts, and the challenges of climate variability.
This includes spring protection, borehole drilling, rainwater harvesting, and gravity-fed systems designed for long-term service. We recognise that strong local institutions and appropriate financing mechanisms for cost-recovery are just as important as physical infrastructure for sustaining water services.
Learn more about our Global Water and Sanitation Initiative (GWSI) 2005 – 2015
Water for livelihoods and food security addresses productive water uses beyond domestic needs. We support multi-use water systems, small-scale irrigation, water conservation techniques, and watershed management to enhance resilience and food production.
We recognise that water insecurity directly impacts nutrition, income generation, and community resilience. Our productive water use initiatives are developed with farmers and community leaders to ensure they complement traditional agricultural practices, seasonal availabilities and water sharing arrangements.
Find out more about our work as part of our Water and Climate, and Water and Peace initiatives
This manual is aimed at volunteers and staff responding to emergencies where water quality is an issue and household water treatment can be used to ensure safe water for drinking and cooking. It is available in 18 languages!
The manual includes:
This manual contains short fact sheets that can be used by volunteers when training community members on how to use the different methods.
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