Waterlines
Volume 34, Issue 2, 2015, Pages 174-185

Sanitation and physical disability: Challenges to latrine access in kakuma refugee camp, Kenya (Article)

Wasonga J. , Bukania F.
  • a CARE International in Kisumu, Kenya
  • b International Rescue Committee, Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya

Abstract

Access to sanitation services such as provision of latrines is one way of preventing diarrhoeal related infections and promoting public health. Provision of and accessibility to latrines for people with physical disabilities in Kakuma refugee camp has, however, been faced with many challenges. We used traditional anthropological research methods such as in-depth interviews and participant observation to explore some of the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing and using latrines. We found that fear of contracting diseases, shame, and lack of resources to construct latrines, as well as technological design, hinders disabled people from accessing latrines in the refugee camp. Lack of latrines for disabled people compounds their vulnerability and there is need for a deliberate effort to mitigate this. The agencies dealing with latrine provision and funding need to explore ways of reducing this vulnerability, brought about by a lack of sanitation facilities that are technologically adaptable to their needs. © Practical Action Publishing, 2015.

Author Keywords

Accessibility Sanitation services Kakuma refugee camp Physical disability

Index Keywords

participatory approach disability survey method accessibility traditional knowledge refugee Kenya public service health risk research method sanitation public health

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84975698658&doi=10.3362%2f1756-3488.2015.016&partnerID=40&md5=a7e441ab1ddc6728b2bb3c620aa4170a

DOI: 10.3362/1756-3488.2015.016
ISSN: 02628104
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English