In times of natural disaster, having access to safe and clean water is essential. Water polluted by faecal matter can lead to the spread of diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera, and water polluted by animal waste can spread other diseases, such as leptospirosis. Natural disasters can also result in an increase in water-based insect vectors that can spread disease (such as malaria), and a lack of clean water for personal hygiene can result in an increase in diseases such as conjunctivitis and scabies. These outcomes are outlined in the World Health Organization's Communicable Disease Control in Emergencies field manual,1 and have informed the preparation of this Special Collection.
The burden caused by natural disasters adds to the existing burden of morbidity and mortality from diarrhoeal diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old and kills 1.5 million children each year.2
Cochrane systematic reviews can contribute to the use of effective interventions to prevent and treat water-related diseases, and they have also examined interventions to improve sanitation and promote hand washing. This Special Collection presents the Cochrane Reviews that summarize the available evidence around water safety and water-related diseases. Where available, links to Evidence Update summaries are provided.
This Special Collection concludes with a list of additional resources and guidelines, recommended by the contributors to this Special Collection, likely to be of relevance and interest to those working in disaster relief.
