Now open: PhD positions aimed at improving sanitation in refugee settlements in Bangladesh and Uganda
There are now over 26 million refugees - people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and crossed an international border to find safety in another country. A quarter of them live in temporary settlements or camps in low- and middle-income countries. Although considered transitionary, some of these settlements like, Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar founded in 1990s, have been around for decades.
The displacement and the associated overcrowding and humanitarian emergencies such as disasters, conflicts and disease outbreaks add to the marginalisation of refugees. Limited resources and the effects of climate change compound the challenge.
The settlements often lack sufficient water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) services, which can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Addressing WASH challenges will help prevent such diseases.
The RISK-WASH project aims to improve WASH decision-making and provisions in humanitarian camps by collaboratively developing a health-risk impact framework. The project is funded under IHE Delft’s Water and Development Partnership Programme.
Two new PhD positions
The project is seeking two PhD candidates who will contribute to improve public health in the settlements. Female candidates and those from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply to the 4-year, fully-funded positions at the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in Kampala, Uganda. The researchers will carry out field work in Bangladesh and Uganda and interact with the project and learn from the vibrant international communities at IHE Delft and MakSPH.
Project partner Dr. Richard Mugambe of MakSPH highlighted the importance of research in designing WASH interventions.
“To address the current and future WASH challenges, we need more public health researchers with technical knowledge and skills. Research evidence is also critical to guide decision-making in all WASH investments”
The PhD candidates will study and address these issues in Uganda and Bangladesh with the aim of improving the health and well-being of the refugees. In addition to benefitting the specific communities being studied, the research can also provide valuable insights that can be applied to similar situations around the world.