The Standard Operating Procedures lay down guiding activities to be undertaken to address the critical areas of water, sanitation and hygiene with the primary objective to promote good hygiene practices, provide safe drinking water, mitigate environmental health risks, and enable conditions that allow people to live with good health, dignity, comfort and security. The Department of Water provides directives to all agencies and personnel to better response to and manage water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs of the people affected while conducting disaster preparedness and emergency operations. Furthermore, all WASH agencies operating in Vanuatu will be expected to produce supporting Standard Operating Procedures in accordance with their agency plans which will be reviewed and approved by both the Department of Water and the National Disaster Management Office.