Impact of the safe water system on water quality in cyclone-affected communities in Madagascar

Cyclone Hudah struck the northeastern coast of Madagascar in the spring of 2000. Over a 5-month period, 11700 relief kits consisting of bottles of wat er disinfectant and foldable jerry cans were distributed to the affected po pulation. Five months after the cyclone, a survey was conducted in 12 villa ges to determine the impact of these relief kits on water quality. Seventy-six percent of the surveyed households reported using jerry cans, a nd 65% reported using the disinfectant. Stored water in households using bo th products had significantly less microbiological contamination than store d water in other households. To improve the prospects for a sustainable int ervention, the response plan for future disasters should incorporate a tran sition to recovery and development, including formative research into local customs, beliefs, and water handling habits, and funding support to initia te social marketing.