Dear Colleagues:

Below is an excerpt from the August 11, 2020 issue of Water Currents and the complete issue is on the Globalwaters.org website :

Overviews
Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and COVID-19: Critical WASH Interventions for Effective COVID-19 Pandemic Response . World Bank, April 2020. Good and consistently applied WASH and waste management practices serve as essential barriers to human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 in communities, homes, health care facilities, schools, and other public spaces.

Policy and Legislation Linked to COVID-19 and Pandemics . UN Environment Program (UNEP), June 2020. This policy and legislation guidance is intended  to help countries better respond to future waste emergencies such as COVID-19 and includes information on the types of measures that could be put in place, the coverage and scope of the measures, and how to monitor compliance and enforce the measures.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak: Some Serious Consequences with Urban and Rural Water Cycle . NPJ Clean Water, July 2020. Conventional sewage treatment methods with disinfection are expected to eradicate COVID-19. However, for densely populated countries like India that lack adequate sewage treatment facilities, chances of contamination are extremely high.

Waste Management: An Essential Public Service in the Fight to Beat COVID-19 . UNEP, March 2020. With COVID-19 continuing to spread and its impacts on human health and the economy intensifying day by day, governments are urged to treat waste management, including medical, household, and other hazardous waste, as an urgent and essential public service.

Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Waste Management for the COVID-19 Virus: Interim Guidance . WHO, April 2020. This interim guidance summarizes WHO guidance on water, sanitation, and health care waste relevant to viruses, including coronaviruses and supplements previous infection prevention and control documents.

Exploring the Correlation Between COVID-19 Fatalities and Poor WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Services . Medrxiv, June 2020. In this study, researchers analyzed the latest data on COVID-19 fatality rates in sub-Saharan Africa with indicators of safe water and sanitation governance and found a strong correlation between a higher case fatality rate and poorer access to safe drinking water and safe sanitation.

Global Socio-Economic Losses and Environmental Gains from the Coronavirus Pandemic . PLoS One, July 2020. Using a global model, the authors of this study captured the direct and indirect spillover effects of COVID-19 in terms of social losses, economic losses, and environmental effects.

Wastewater/Wastewater Surveillance
Wastewater Surveillance for COVID-19: An African Perspective . Science of the Total Environment, November 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, early warning wastewater systems have been proposed as a platform for surveillance and a potentially important public health strategy to combat the disease. This short communication on wastewater surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa highlights challenges, opportunities, and alternatives taking into account local context.
 
Wastewater Surveillance for Population-Wide COVID-19: The Present and Future . Science of the Total Environment, September 2020. This article explores wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), which the authors believe holds the potential as a key tool in containing and mitigating COVID-19 outbreaks while also minimizing domino effects, such as long stay-at-home policies that stress humans and economies alike.

Computational Analysis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Surveillance by Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Locally and Globally: Feasibility, Economy, Opportunities and Challenges . Science of the Total Environment, August 2020. In this study, researchers computationally examined wastewater as a matrix for detection of COVID-19 and found that combined use of WBE followed by clinical testing could save billions of U.S. dollars.

Read the complete issue .

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India - Programme Support Unit - DoUD (Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, India) as support to the Govt. have compiled a web-based repository important material related to COVID-19:
www.cseindia.org/reorganizing-the-reposi...d-19-resources-10103

Govt. Advisories and Guidelines:
www.cseindia.org/govt-advisories-and-guidelines-covid-19-10104

Best Practices shared by cities and State in India:
www.cseindia.org/best-practices-from-covid-19-response-10105

Communication Material related to COVID-19:
www.cseindia.org/communication-collaterals-for-covid-19-10106

Blogs:
www.cseindia.org/recent-blogs-on-urban-w...and-wastewater-10113

COVID-19 has impacted lives across the world. It has particularly impacted vulnerable communities living in low-income settlements. Sanitation workers handling waste from containment zone are highly vulnerable to this disease. 

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) - Programme Support Unit - Department of Urban Development (Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, India) launched an awareness campaign to raise awareness on good practices to prevent COVID-19. The first phase of the campaign was launched between 26th May to 31st May 2020 in cities of Lucknow, Bijnor and Chunar. The awareness generation involved activities including painting and slogan writing and audio, visual messaging through mass media like mobile vans audio messages, wall paintings etc. Social media was used extensively during the campaign and posters were launched in each city.

Stakeholders were engaged through City Sanitation Task Force meetings in the cities. The CSTFs include elected representatives, local Civil Society Organizations, local media etc   

The major focus of the campaign revolved around the training and orientations of sanitation worker for health and safety during COVID-19. This included virtual trainings of master trainers, on-field orientations of sanitation in small batches to ensure all protocols related to COVID-19 are followed.
www.cseindia.org/state-training-for-master-trainers-10124
www.cseindia.org/orientation-of-sanitati...-19-in-lucknow-10164

More updates to follow.....

The Repository of COVID-19 resources contains Guidelines, Advisories, Best Practices and Communication Collateral for COVID-19 reponse:
www.cseindia.org/reorganizing-the-reposi...d-19-resources-10103
www.cseindia.org/communication-collaterals-for-covid-19-10106

Some videos developed during the campaign:

Dear Coleagues:

Below is an excerpt from the latest issue of Water Current on WASH & COVID-19 and the complete issue is on the Globalwaters.org website:

This second special issue of Water Currents contains links to recent key websites as well as studies and reports that discuss the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)–related aspects of COVID-19 and updates the March 26, 2020,  Water Currents  on COVID-19. The provision of safe WASH conditions is essential to protecting human health during all infectious disease outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the globe, USAID is supporting countries affected by COVID-19. Among USAID’s priority approaches is the provision of emergency WASH services and supplies, and long-term support to maintain continuity of WASH services. The recently published  Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Strategic Approach to COVID-19 Response  (see first entry below) provides a comprehensive overview of USAID’s whole of Agency approach to WASH within the context of COVID-19. 

This issue contains recent studies and resources on COVID-19 and handwashing, menstrual hygiene management, humanitarian issues, and other topics.

Overviews
USAID Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Strategic Approach to COVID-19 Response . USAID, April 17, 2020. This document provides a comprehensive overview of USAID's strategic approaches to WASH within the context of COVID-19 across health, emergency, and longer term recovery programming.

Water for the World’s Response to COVID-19 . USAID, May 2020. Access to WASH services is a crucial pillar of USAID’s response to COVID-19. This fact sheet outlines how the Agency is adapting ongoing Water for the World programs to provide emergency assistance, mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19, protect progress, and speed recovery.

Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Waste Management for the COVID-19 Virus: Interim Guidance . April 2020. This guidance was originally published in March 2020. This first update provides details on hand hygiene, sanitation, protecting WASH workers, and supporting the continuation and strengthening of WASH services, especially in underserved areas.

Monitoring and Mitigating the Secondary Impacts of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic on WASH Services Availability and Access . UNICEF, March 2020. This document details potential secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, methods to monitor them, and measures to contain them in a WASH–specific context.

COVID-19 Faecal-Oral Transmission: Are We Asking the Right Questions?  Science of the Total Environment, August 2020. Recently, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected in stools and sewage, which has raised a hypothesis on the fecal-oral transmission of the disease. The confirmation of this hypothesis could lead to far-reaching consequences for public health and for pandemic control strategies.

As Lockdowns Lift, New Hazards Lurk in the Water . Nature, April 2020. As some areas start to rescind their lockdowns, water experts are raising the alarm on the risks associated with stagnant water in unused buildings, which can harbor infectious bacteria and heavy metals.

Link to the complete issue -  www.globalwaters.org/resources/assets/wa...9-update-may-14-2020

Dear Friends,
 
Could COVID-19 be a catalyst to break the cycle of infectious disease and poverty?
 
During this unprecedented globalcrisis, the Defeat Diarrheal Disease Initiative’s (DefeatDD’s) priority continues to be the children at greatest risk of COVID-19’s cascading impacts: sluggish supply chains, disrupted immunization coverage, overwhelmed health systems, and  worsening economies.
 
But in this threat, we see an opportunity to reaffirm the need for better access to basic health tools, such as routine immunization and hygiene access. Using lessons learned over the past decades as a foundation, we can carry communities through COVID-19 and beyond. 
 
DefeatDD has compiled advocacy resources that highlight the ways policymakers can protect communities against COVID-19 and children against the ongoing scourge of diseases like diarrhea and typhoid.
 
We hope you’ll consider sharing the campaign page using our tweet below, or using the Twitter button next to each resource to share a
pre-populated tweet about it:
 
Could #COVID19 be a catalyst to break the cycle of infectious disease and poverty? Explore and share insights from @DefeatDD: www.defeatdd.org/campaign/prevent-covid-...cts-lessons-defeatdd #DefeatDD
 
Would you like us to include a COVID-19 petition, framework, or policy that relates to improved child health?
Reach out to Hope Randall at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
 
Thanks and stay well!
Team DefeatDD

Dear SuSanA colleagues, 

I would like to share with you another good resource from the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council - WSSCC . The resource titled Covid-19 information and guidance for programmes is intended to provide the latest information on COVID-19 and offer practical guidance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all countries where WSSCC has ongoing Global Sanitation Fund-supported programmes and National Coordinators. Programming has been directed to national prevention efforts. WSSCC has compiled what we view as the most useful information and practical guidance at this point, alongside a wider set of resources and some of the good practices gathered from our country partners. Note that evidence and guidance for best practices are continually emerging, and that countries differ in the extent and nature of their COVID-19 responses. The guidance contained in this briefing note is not exhaustive but will be updated to reflect the latest information available. Always consult with your national health authorities for the latest guidance in your area.

Content Summary.

• What is COVID-19 and how it is spread
• Guidance for handwashing including when hands should be washed, effective materials, water quality and facility feature
• Guidance for cleaning sanitation facilities
• Guidance on other preventative measures including avoiding face touching, social distancing, cleaning and wearing face masks
• Guidance for prevention outreach including good programming practices, campaign design, behaviour change approaches for communities, health care facilities and schools and considerations for Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) programming and people who may be disadvantaged
• Further resources

The full report  here  

To help address this, we from WASH United teamed up with Welthungerhilfe to create ‘No Chance for Corona’ – a comic book and video to help young people aged 10-14 understand what coronavirus is, why their daily routines have been disrupted, and what they should do to protect themselves and those they care about. Our story centres on Amina, Oliver, Tara and Akachi, four  friends who – like millions of children – are not allowed to play  outside. Through discussing coronavirus and COVID-19, they explore the topic in a child-friendly way and inspire other kids  become real-life corona superheroes!
The comic is available for free download as a PDF and it has been translated into English, French, Spanish and
German already, and 20 more language versions are coming soon.

Download the comic and video here: www.welthungerhilfe.org/coronavirus-comic/

We have compiled urban sanitation and COVID related knowledge resources.

Those interested may visit : 

scbp.niua.org/response-to-covid-19  

This from Welthungerhilfe:

Although children and adolescents rarely fall seriously ill with COVID-19, they are nevertheless extremely affected by the pandemic. Instead of playing outside, going to school, doing sports and meeting friends, they are now locked up with their parents all day, often in very confined spaces. In addition, they are worried about their family, their friends and themselves. Together, Welthungerhilfe and WASH United want to ensure that children and adolescents understand why their normal lives are being so drastically restricted and what they can do to protect themselves, their family and their friends from Corona. To this end, we have worked closely with an expert from the Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité Universitäts medizin Berlin to develop a comic strip that can be used
around the world to educate children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14 about Corona.

The “No chance for Corona” comic is currently being translated into more than 25 languages and is available for download here . On 13 April, the comic will also be available as an educational videoto reach even more children and adolescents. The comic can be used, reproduced and disseminated for non-commercial purposes without limitation. Changes to the comic are not permitted. You are encouraged to use the comic and video as widely as possible.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hi all,

Thank you for all the useful links.

IFRC has also put a lot of interesting guidelines in different languages together on their Go-platform .
These can be accessed also if you don't have an account. 
Scroll down and you'll find different guidelines e.g. on business continuity planning, infection prevention and control, rapid training for community response and Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE). 

All the best,
Roel

I saw this on HIFA.org (it's probably more from the medical angle but still useful, I am sure):

++++++++++
Dueto the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 we have now created a new TOOLBOX on the
topic of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus.
Here you will find important guidelines, educational materials, situation
updates, posters, infographics, videos in numerous languages. Follow www.covid19box.org

Best regards
Sieglinde

HIFA profile: Sieglinde Mauder is Librarian at the Medical Mission Institute,
Würzburg, Germany. She collects and distributes resources on HIV/AIDS, tropical
diseases, humanitarian aid, health service management, e-learning for partners
in developing countries. 

Dear Colleagues:

Below are links to some recent reports, blog posts and other resources on WASH & COVID-19. links to each of the items listed below are also on Sanitation Updates .

WASH & COVID-19 UPDATES
Interim recommendations on obligatory hand hygiene against transmission of COVID-19 . WHO, April 1, 2020. Recommendation to Member States to improve hand hygiene practices widely to help prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus by: 1. Providing universal access to public hand hygiene stations and making their use obligatory on entering and leaving any public or private commercial building and any public transport facility. 2. Improving access to hand hygiene facilities and practices in health care facilities.

Welthungerhilfe and WASH United Corona Comics  – The four friends are the protagonists of a comic strip that provides young people between the ages of 10 and 14 with information about the coronavirus and other preventative hygiene measures. Global WASH Cluster

Covid19 Weekly Update, April 4, 2020  – The first issue of this weekly newsletter which will aim at providing a summary of ongoing knowledge sharing initiatives tailored for WASH practitioners and public health humanitarian workers.

Knowledge Map: WASH in Schools and Coronavirus . WASH in Schools Network, April 2020. The WASH in Schools Network (UNICEF, GIZ, Save the Children, WATERAID; Emory, LSHTM, among others) have compiled this knowledge map with links to relevant materials about COVID-19 for learners, their families and the education system.

WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) and COVID-19 . World Bank, April 6. Action in the WASH sector is therefore critical for both containing the virus and lowering its immediate impact and aftermath. Three priority areas are identified as part of the emergency response.

Covid-19 in low-income countries – we need rapid learning about effective handwashing initiatives . IDS, April 8.

Covid-19 reveals and further increases inequalities in water and sanitation . IDS, April 6.

Putting equality, inclusion and rights at the centre of a COVID-19 water, sanitation and hygiene response . WaterAid, April 2.

Combating the Coronavirus Without Clean Water . WRI Blog, April 8.

Latin America moving fast to ensure water services during COVID-19 . World Bank Water Blog, April 8.

How Do You Wash Your Hands To Fend Off Coronavirus If Water Is Scarce?  NPR Goats and Soda, March 30. RATE THIS: