photo by W. Daniels

1. Information & Knowledge Management

Humanitarian workers have to deal with increasingly complex and varied fields of intervention that require a thorough understanding of the context and the issues it raises. In order to be effective, and to implement interventions that are truly adapted to the needs of the target population, humanitarian workers need to rapidly collect all kinds of information on a variety of topics. 
​Having the right information and the capacity to manage them is vital to acquire the knowledge to respond effectively in emergencies. Promoting cross-learning, and sharing experienced, technical expertise and best practices are crucial to addressing humanitarian challenges.

2. Capacity Development & Professionalization


​With increasingly complex crises, the need for specific expertise in humanitarian WASH interventions is greater than ever. Because of this complexity, the range of skills needed to develop effective, sustainable interventions in line with environmental health requires a range of skills that is growing every day. It is crucial to ensure that the right skills are in the right place at the right time, at all times.
This objective requires the implementation of localized educational program capable to train a large range of humanitarian professionals, but also ways of facilitating access to its training courses and making them accessible to the greatest number of practitioners.

3. Coordination & Partnerships

The growing complexity of crises situations has significant effects on how the humanitarian system operates and is magnified by the need to balance the convolutions presented by long-running crises while addressing immediate humanitarian needs. These new trends require a paradigm shift in the way the humanitarian sector works.
Connecting with other humanitarian sectors to work on several aspects of a crisis is an identified solution, particularly when it comes to public health issues.  But the humanitarian field also needs to connect with the private sector to diversify fields of expertise, build coherent humanitarian responses and increase the capacity of the humanitarian WASH sector. It is also crucial to to get closer to the development sector.

4. Innovative Funding, Resource Mobilization & Advocacy


The tendency of the humanitarian WASH sector to be underfunded is aggravating – in 2008, 70% of the funding requirements were met, in 2017 only 59%. As a result, the sector fails to meet its ambitions in terms of coverage, quality and effectiveness of its interventions.
Creating common and inclusive tools for funding and advocacy for the WASH sector is urgent - This is the sine qua non condition for a rapid and effective response when a crisis occurs.