This research addresses the need for efficient and effective management of water
during any part of a crisis lifecycle, which is paramount if the negative impact on
human health and quality of life is to be minimised.
The unique contribution to knowledge is expressed through the creation of a
framework for application of four key elements: Crisis Management, Knowledge
Management, Public Health and Human Security within the realms of water
resource utilisation during humanitarian crises.
Through secondary data collection, the four key elements were identified.
Primary data was subsequently gathered from subject experts in the form of
semi-structure interviews that utilised a questionnaire to guide participants
through the identified problem domain. This resulted in the creation of a draft
framework that was critiqued by domain experts through both questionnaire
and interview. A final framework was then constructed that took into
consideration the needs expressed by all participants.
The final framework was then tested against the historic crisis of Hurricane
Katrina, for which a plethora of data and information was readily available, to
ascertain its validity and applicability. Further work was identified as being the
creation of an interactive toolbox of resources, which could be utilised in times of
crisis based on need and applicability