A simplified guide to surface water drainage systems for refugee camps and internally displaced persons (IDP) temporary settlements

When natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding or even wars occur, victims of these natural catastrophes or man-made events are usually displaced from their homes to temporary environments such as refugee camps (RCs) and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. For these victims of disasters to be comfortable and live healthy in their temporary homes, necessities such as good water supplies, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) must be accessible within the camps. In addition, shelter and food supply and non-food supplies are required after a disaster occurrence. Following the provision of shelter, food and non-food supplies, water supply and sanitation facilities such as toilets and latrines, it is very important for the camps or temporary settlements to have effective surface water drainage infrastructure to mitigate environmental health risks and flooding. An effective surface water drainage system can help keep these camps free of surface water flooding, contamination of drinking water supplies by cross-mixing with wastewater, mosquito infestations, stagnant water depressions and growth of aquatic weeds. This paper provides a simplified guidance and methodology in designing, constructing and implementing techniques for best management practice addressing surface water drainage for such scenarios. The paper reviews current drainage infrastructure, difficulties and past mistakes from such systems, retrofitting techniques and novel tools in improving the effectiveness of existing drainage infrastructures in refugee camps, IDP camps and other temporary settlements.