Summary

In this Study Session, you have learned that:

• Rapid assessment of sanitation and waste management provides information that will identify improvements needed and indicate possible solutions. It is also used in emergency situations where rapid response is needed.
• Assessment is normally carried out by a survey team of people with a range of skills and experience.
• The process begins with agreeing the scope of the assessment and setting the aims and objectives. This should involve all interested parties, including the community.
• Assessment methods include interviews, observation, community discussions, focus groups, and questionnaires. These should be supported by a review of existing documents and reports.
• The data obtained should be summarised in the form of tables and text as soon as the survey is completed. The data should then be analysed to determine any problems, the cause of the problems and possible solutions. This analysis should then be incorporated into a written report.