Constructing Toilets Post-Disaster

It is a difficult task to get back on our feet after the effects of such deadly disaster. Many people easily recover whereas some people get scarred for life. Immediate effects are the least worrying parts of all because after effects of disasters are much worse. Houses, developmental building and works get completely destroyed leaving people with nothing.

Firstly, in such condition people need to tackle the problem of fulfilling the basic necessity i.e. food, clothes and shelter. Only then, they can form a proper strategic plan to carry out constructional and developmental work. People should keep in mind what is necessary and what is not. Disaster itself kills thousands of people but diseases also kills people as well. Most of the times, these diseases are spread due to unmanaged human wastages and open defecation. So, what can be done to solve these problems?

The simple solution is toilet reconstruction post disaster. Open urination and defecation becomes a major problem and cause of diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid and diarrhea. Flies and insect become the transferors of these diseases making more people sick leading them to death. The toilet reconstruction will not only solve these problems but will act as aid to environmental sanitation as well.

There are lots of different types of toilets that can be constructed based on the materials found, number of people, span of time and geographical structure. Practical Answers provides us with an overview of these types of toilets with their advantages and disadvantages.

A simple pit latrine is one of the simplest latrines forms which can be made using few materials and has low constructional cost. Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) Latrine is the improvised version of simple pit latrines and doesn't require water for its operation. Pour-Flush Latrine is another type which is easy to construct and controls the flies. Ecological Sanitation Latrines, Aqua-Privy are some other forms of latrines which can be constructed post-disaster.

Latrines are easy to construct depending upon its types. Constructing latrines will eliminate the risk for diseases and are very simple solution to the problem of diseases outbreak.