Assessing and addressing hygiene issues of internally displaced persons of Swat, Buner and Dir : paper presented at the South Asia Hygiene Practitioners Workshop, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1 to 4 February 2010

The paper describes the steps and measures taken to handle unhygienic conditions in camps and host families. The goal of hygiene promotion is to help the internally displaced persons (IDPs) learn about and develop good hygiene practices to prevent diseases and develop positive attitudes towards good health practices. Trained and qualified hygiene promoters were inducted to carry out the proposed activities of hygiene promotion. The staff carried out a rapid assessment and needs survey of the camps and areas where the IDPs were residing with relatives and friends.
The findings were shared with the management to prepare an effective action plan to educate and create awareness among the IDPs regarding important issues of hygiene. Leaders and activists (men and women) were identified and trained among the IDPs. Corner and broad based meetings were held to sensitize and educate the communities about the best practices and how to adopt these and what will be the impact of these practices on their health and environment. During the process bath soap, dish washing soap, detergents, towels, water purifier tabs, sanitary cloth, tooth brush and toothpaste were provided.