List of Free Humanitarian Courses in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) online

By Claire Barnhoorn - On

In 2007, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) declared that access to safe water and sanitation is a human right (applicable in times of peace AND emergencies). Since the start of creating lists of free humanitarian courses, it was clear to me to compile and share a list of free online Humanitarian Courses in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in emergencies. 

All of us working in humanitarian settings know that water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are essential elements in our responses. Providing sufficient quantities of safe water, arranging basic sanitation, and promoting (and enabling) appropriate hygiene (behavior) are the crucial elements of WASH responses, from rapid interventions in acute emergencies to long-term interventions in complex emergencies. Providing water for cooking, safe storage of (drinking) water, distribution of soap, water purification, and sanitation infrastructure; are just a few components within (urgent) WASH services and programs. 

There are many great sources online, platforms, and coordination bodies; please look at the Global WASH cluster website, for example. This list is not intended to become a WASH expert, but getting a sense and understanding of WASH in emergencies is crucial for all of us. 

(Short) Introduction WASH courses in Emergencies

  1. WASH: an Introduction (part of Surge Webinar series) by IFRC – International Federation of the Red Cross (0,25 hour)
  2. Introduction to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) by UNICEF (0,5 hours)
  3. WASH in Emergencies IFRC by IFRC – International Federation of the Red Cross (0,5 hour)
  4. The 8 Steps for Hygiene Promotion in Emergencies by IFRC – International Federation of the Red Cross (0,5 hour)
  5. Introduction to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Emergencies by HLA – Humanitarian Leadership Academy (1-2 hours)
  6. Introduction to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Emergencies by Save the Children (1,5 hour)

Courses in WASH: Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Emergencies

  1. Humanitarian WASH Coordination Introduction by UNICEF and Global Wash Cluster (16 hours)
  2. WASH foundational course by UNICEF
  3. WASH’NUTRITION by ACF – Action Against Hunger (7-8 hours)
  4. Technical Project Management (TPM) in WASH Emergencies by OXFAM (5,5 hours)
  5. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) in WASH emergencies by OXFAM (6 hours)
  6. WASH in Epidemics by Ready initiative (2-3 hours)
  7. WASH: Context and Environment by  the Open University, World Vision Ethiopia and UNICEF (30 hours)
  8. Introduction to Public Health Engineering in Humanitarian Contexts by EPFL – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (12 hours)

Urban WASH, Solid waste and Sludge management in humanitarian settings

  1. Urban WASH: Working with People by  the Open University, World Vision Ethiopia and UNICEF (24 hours)
  2. Urban Water Supply by  the Open University, World Vision Ethiopia and UNICEF (30 hours)
  3. Urban Sanitation and Solid Waste Management by  the Open University, World Vision Ethiopia and UNICEF (30 hours)
  4. Treatment of Urban Sewage by Technical University Delft (56 hours)
  5. Introduction to Faecal Sludge Management by EPFL – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (22 hours)

Sanitation and Drinking water in humanitarian settings

  1. Introduction to Drinking Water Treatment by Technical University Delft (56 hours)
  2. For a healthier world: safely managed sanitation by WHO – World Health Organisation (3 hours)
  3. Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage by EPFL – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (14 hours)
  4. Public Health – Module 4: Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage by IFRC – International Federation of the Red Cross (0,5 hour)
  5. Water Trucking by Mercy Corps and DisasterReady (1 hour)
  6. Planning & Design of Sanitation Systems and Technologies by EPFL – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (17 hours)
  7. Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems by University of Manchester (26 hours)
  8. Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 2: Developing Effective Interventions by University of Manchester (25 hours)
  9. Rethinking rural sanitation by WaterAid, Plan international UK, UNICEF and open University (6 hours)

Other WASH courses in humanitarian setting

  1. Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) by WHO – World Health Organization (1 hour)
  2. Standard precautions: Hand hygiene by WHO – World Health Organization (1 hour)
  3. International Water Law by Geneva University (10 hours)
  4. Introduction to Water and Climate by Technical University Delft (80 hours)
  5. Beyond Engineering: Building with Nature by Technical University Delft (20 hours)
  6. Strengthening Enabling Environment for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) by UNICEF (5 hours)
  7. Cost Recovery for Water Systems by Mercy Corps and DisasterReady (1 hour)
  8. Introduction to Market Analysis by CALP Network and IRC – International Rescue Committee (IRC) (0,5 hour)
  9. A Practical Guide to Market Analysis by CALP Network and IRC – International Rescue Committee (IRC) (3,5 hour)

This list has been compiled based on my experience in the sector, MSF training, and being a NOHA Alumni NOHA Alumni and with the support of colleagues and others. Special thanks to Vicky O’Donnell.

I am sure I do still miss many quality free WASH courses online. Please let me know what I am missing, and I will keep updating this list.