WASH Assessments
Areas affected by crisis need rapid and immediate support, across all sectors of humanitarian response. These crises range from climate change-related disasters to conflict, long-term inequity to displacement. Often, however, these responses can be haphazard, leading to misallocated resources, ineffective programs, and, ultimately, failing to assist those most in need. To avoid this, Solidarity Engineering follows established UNHCR WASH assessment guidelines while partnering with local community members, in order to conduct rapid evaluations of water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions during and following an emergency.
While physical inspections of existing WASH infrastructure and determination of ongoing management arrangements are an integral part of any effective WASH assessment, Solidarity Engineering field teams never forget that the most valuable and important resource to respond to a crisis are the people involved. Actors on the ground lead discussions, interviews, and ultimately, drive the resulting change.
Below are examples of Solidarity Engineering’s assessment portfolio, with links to in-depth project descriptions and final documentation.
Source: US Customs and Border Patrol
WACUCO, PANAMA
In collaboration with Villanova University
In February 2021, Solidarity Engineering sent a field team to Wacuco, Panama to conduct a WASH assessment for project partners to deliver and install air-release valves, perform water quality testing, conduct interviews, and collect project data for the

Sierra Leone
In collaboration with Global Response Management
In October 2021, Solidarity Engineering went to Sierra Leone to asses the potential for a joint training program in partnership with Global Response Management. This public health approach combines sustainable water operation training for water committees and emergency medical training for clinics in targeted communities.
Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
In collaboration with Global Response Management
The Alta Verapaz department of Guatemala was hit by Hurricane Eta (Category 4) on November 3rd, devastating and flooding the region for days before changing course. Less than two weeks later, on November 17th, Hurricane Iota (Category 5) swept through the same region, dumping more water on the already submerged area. In response, Solidarity Engineering and Global Response Management deployed an emergency response team to the region on November 30th, 2020.
