The Asia Pacific Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Strategy 2021-2030 is a longer-term framework for Asia Pacific National Societies and IFRC to scale up programming in emergency WASH. This strategy represents a convergence of regional priorities resulting from se, together with analyses consultations with various groups working in emergency WASH and disaster response of current environments and experiences of past operations.  It is aligned with global strategies and guiding principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to strengthen the capacities of Asia Pacific National Societies in emergency WASH response and preparedness.

The IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office WASH team developed the strategy through a consultative process as part of continuing efforts in mapping aspects of National Societies’ capacities and interests to better coordinate appropriate support. A wide online survey was conducted, focusing on feedback and experiences of Asia Pacific National Societies and voices of the communities they work in. Partners in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and other agencies were also consulted to understand their priorities and insights. In total, 52 persons contributed to the consultation process, including 12 persons who provided key information through interviews and email communications.

Click on the image to view the full version of the framework. The summary version is available here.

The IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) organized a technical meeting on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH) in Kuala Lumpur on 1-2 November 2018, bringing together over 32 WASH, health and programme colleagues from National Societies, the ICRC and the IFRC across Asia and Europe. The two-day meeting was conducted in the peaceful surroundings of The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

The objective of this meeting is to enable WASH representatives from selected National Societies, IFRC Country Offices (CO), Country Cluster Support Teams (CCST), Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) and partner National Societies working in the region to update themselves on technical issues, approaches, plans and lessons learned in their respective sectors.

The meeting was conducted in a highly participatory manner that drew on the strong motivation of participants to exchange experiences and learn from each other. Issues and challenges faced in the region and in National Societies were highlighted and considered for planning ahead. Presentations from facilitators and participants were balanced with practical group exercises, and active discussions to inform and inspire activities and plans for Asia Pacific WASH programming in 2019-2020 in emergency, recovery and development.

The agenda of the meeting had a specific theme for each of the two days:

• First day: Where we stand?
• Second day: How to maintain, improve and expand our emergency, recovery and developmental WASH programming?