In the last two decades few countries have experienced a more protracted emergency than Somalia. Absence of a functioning central government and the ongoing conflict have led to a lack of access to basic social services, resulting in the country falling amongst the highest child and maternal mortality rates in the world. This learning paper by the Regional Emergency Cluster Advisor (RECA) project captures the experience of the Somalia WASH Cluster and draws lessons on how an effective knowledge management system can be developed and implemented.
The paper aims to provide an example framework of a successful knowledge management system that can be adapted by other national WASH Clusters to support a predictable, effective, timely and coherent WASH emergency preparedness and response. The paper concludes that practical knowledge management provides information, support and clarity to field level WASH practitioners, and enhances the impact and effectiveness of humanitarian response.
