Recommendations on Environmental Public Health for Temporary Shelters. Place where shelter, food, clothing, and health are temporarily provided to vulnerable people who cannot stay at home, 11 May 2020

Abstract

This technical note presents the key actions to support and protect populations that make use of shelters and transit homes during the COVID-19 emergency. It includes the promotion of hygiene and self-care measures, waste management, sanitation, cleaning and disinfection of spaces, access to safe water, hand washing, and social distancing. It also proposes activities such as the adoption of prevention measures and training against the risk of infections. BE SURE TO • Strengthen the existing environmental public health surveillance system to ensure the continuity of services in those places. If it does not exist, develop a simple surveillance / monitoring system for environmental public health services. • Train health personnel, temporary shelter management and local volunteers on basic measures of Infection Control and Prevention (IPC) in public spaces and community areas, in coordination with all actors present in the shelter. • Adopt measures to ensure the equity of environmental public health services for all the most vulnerable people, including the elderly and people with special needs.