The WASH Insecurity Analysis (WIA) is a standard methodology for identifying areas within a country where people face the highest risks related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). It assesses four dimensions: the extent to which people can access basic WASH services, the impact of recent events such as floods or conflict, exposure to future hazards, and underlying vulnerabilities such as poverty or malnutrition that increase WASH-related risks. By combining these dimensions, WIA ranks sub-national areas, helping humanitarian and development actors prioritise interventions, advocate, and strengthen decision-making in emergencies and long-term programming. 

WIA is a composite index based on secondary data, providing a structured, evidence-based approach to decision-making. It supports WASH actors in targeting interventions, improving preparedness, and informing multi-sectoral planning. The analysis is particularly relevant in humanitarian contexts, where it is led by the WASH Coordination Platform with support from the global WIA team and engagement from key humanitarian and development stakeholders. It informs needs analysis, strategic planning, resource mobilisation, advocacy, and preparedness. As a standard framework applicable across the humanitarian-development-peace continuum, WIA also supports transition and resilience interventions, ensuring that responses are aligned with both immediate and long-term needs. 

Calculation 

The WIA is calculated using a standard framework that integrates data from four key dimensions: access to WASH services, recent hazard events, future hazard exposure, and WASH-related vulnerability. Each sub-national area is assessed across 24 indicators, with thresholds set per country to allow comparability within national contexts. As a result, WIA cannot be used to compare WASH insecurity between countries. 

The WIA score is generated through a structured process that consolidates multiple data points into a single ranking. The process begins with data collection, drawing from global and national sources to assess WASH service levels, recent hazard events, hazard exposure, and WASH-related vulnerabilities. Each indicator is assigned a binary score (0 or 1) based on pre-defined thresholds. For example, a region with below-average access to safe drinking water may receive a score of 1 for that indicator, signalling high WASH insecurity. Scores are then aggregated, with each indicator weighted equally within its dimension, and each dimension weighted equally in the overall index. The final WIA score ranges from 0 (low WASH insecurity) to 1 (high WASH insecurity) for each subnational area, allowing the production of maps and ranking tables. The overall index may also be unrolled to show the contribution of each dimension to the overall score.  

Implementation Process 

The process follows four key steps. First, the analysis parameters are defined by determining the administrative level of assessment, typically Admin 2, and aligning the scope with national WASH priorities and humanitarian needs. Next, relevant secondary data is collated from global sources, with sectoral experts contributing to fill data gaps where necessary. Once the data is compiled, the analysis is performed using the WIA tool, applying thresholds and scoring calculations to rank sub-national areas based on their WASH insecurity scores. The final step involves reviewing outputs and validating findings with key stakeholders, including government agencies, humanitarian actors, and donors. The results inform decision-making, and a timeline is established for updating the analysis as needed. 

Data Sources 

The WIA indicators have been selected to account for the availability of data at global and national level. In most cases WIA can be completed entirely based on secondary data, key sources are listed below. 

1. WASH Service Levels: Multi-Sector Needs Assessments (MSNA), Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), and other national household surveys.  

1. Current Hazards: IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix, ACLED (conflict events), WHO surveillance data (cholera outbreaks), national disaster reports. 

1. Future Hazards: ThinkHazard! (World Bank GFDRR), national climate risk databases, Berkeley Earth (temperature projections). 

1. Vulnerability Indicators: Meta’s Relative Wealth Index (poverty), WHO nutrition data (stunting, wasting), education databases (female literacy). 

Integration with Coordination Mechanisms 

The WIA is designed to complement humanitarian and development planning processes. It can support: 

• Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO): Providing an evidence base for prioritising WASH needs at a national and sub-national level. 

• Flash Appeals: Facilitating rapid decision-making in response to sudden-onset emergencies. 

• Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Resilience Planning: Identifying high-risk areas for targeted preparedness actions. 

• Development and Sectoral Investment Planning: Informing long-term WASH infrastructure and service investments. 

For more information or to explore opportunities for collaboration, please contact James Brown, WASH Insecurity Analysis Coordinator, at jbrown@unicef.org.