Core indicators
Define and disseminate WASH Core Indicators
WASH data collected by partners or other actors (such as other clusters, DTM, REACH, etc.) should be as harmonized as possible. To foster harmonization, the coordination platform needs to set up core indicators, i.e. a list of standard WASH indicators and questions that WASH partners and other actors will integrate into their respective data collection tools. Without core indicators, actors would collect data that cannot be compared, resulting in limited coverage, duplication of efforts and a waste of resources.
Key features
The purpose of the core indicators is to collect basic WASH data, covering the largest possible area, at the highest frequency and with the minimum effort. For the system to succeed and be adopted by the different organizations, the core indicators must be:
- Few: the list of core indicators and questions should be short and concise - preferably up to 5-7 indicators and 10-15 questions. In multi-sector data collection initiatives, there will be no space for more.
- Flexible: The core indicators and questions should be developed for household (HH) as well as community-level data collection, to fit both type of assessments.
- Consensual: The core indicators must be designed in a participatory way with WASH partners to facilitate their adoption.
Developing core indicators
Convene a meeting with SAG and, based on the research questions set in your strategy, develop the core indicators for household and community levels.
The GWC has supported different countries in developing their core indicators (see 2019 Global WASH Cluster Question Bank in the Key guidance and tools on top of this page, and some examples developed at national level from the Field example section). The table below shows an example of commonly used indicators:
Theme | Indicator at HH-level | Proxy indicator at community-level |
|---|---|---|
Water | Proportion of households having access to an improved water source | Proportion of communities having access to an improved water source |
Hygiene | Proportion of households having access to soap | Proportion of communities having access to soap |
Sanitation | Proportion of households having access to functioning latrines | Proportion of communities having access to functioning latrines |
Once the first draft of your core indicators list is finalized circulate it among the WASH partners to collect their feedback and proceed with formal approval at a coordination meeting.
Once the indicators are approved, the associated questions can be developed. Find below an example for one indicator:
Indicator | Questions at household-level | Proxy questions at community-level |
|---|---|---|
Proportion of households/communities having access to an improved water source | 1. What is the main source of water used by your household for drinking? 2. Aside from this main source, does your household use other sources of water for drinking? If yes, which ones? | 1. What is the main source of water used by people in the community for drinking? 2. Aside from this main source, do people in the community use other sources of water for drinking? If yes, which ones? |
In the key guidance and tools section, you will find the Indicators and Questions Bank developed by the GWC that can be used as a basis to develop core indicators.
Tip: Core indicators should be harmonized with the strategic indicators included in the monitoring plan of the WASH Operational Response Plan: by doing so, it will be possible to triangulate between assessment and response monitoring data.
Mainstreaming core indicators into data collection initiatives
WASH core indicators and questions should be mainstreamed across as many data collection initiatives as possible. Based on the initial assessment diagnosis:
- Identify all data collection initiatives and contact their focal points
- Ensure they embed core WASH indicators and questions in their data collection tools
- Agree on a data sharing schedule, so that you can maintain a common dataset with all data collected by the different agencies