Rapid Assessment on the Environmental Sanitation of Allocations after an Earthquake in Kathmandu Area of Nepal

Objective  To rapidly assess the environmental sanitation of allocations after an earthquake in Kathmandu area of Nepal, to find out main potential hazards of environmental health and the solutions.

Methods  Field surveys were conducted with a unified questionnaire including the hygienic situation of toilet, garbage and vectors.

Results  A total of 24 allocations were investigated and 18 people lived in one tent on average. There were public toilets in 75% (18/24) of allocations. No one person was responsible for cleaning in 56% (10/18) of public toilets, and feces were exposed in 22% (4/18) of public toilets. No fixed garbage dump site was set up in 38% (9/24) of allocations, and garbage was thrown anywhere in 71% (17/24) of allocations. In 58% (14/24) of allocations, the visual density of flies was very high and no equipment for mosquito prevention in all allocations.

Conclusion  After earthquake in Kathmandu Area of Nepal, the situation of environmental sanitation was bad in all allocations. The risk which could cause transmission of infectious diseases was existed, and public health measures should be adopted to improve sanitation.