Assessment of sanitation service gap in urban slums for tackling COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been declared as a global pandemic the World Health Organization (WHO). As is highly infectious, Global South countries are in vulnerable situation with high urban population density and lack of Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) services. The for slum dwellers low-income group clusters becoming worse. Lack health sanitation service availability already an issue them before beginning pandemic. So, it predictable that adopting this massive critical challenge them. This paper assesses gap slums, which become severe to tackle due COVID-19. study areas research Ranarmath Khema Khulna city, Bangladesh. SERVQUAL model used identify quality available these informal residential settlements. interpretation questionnaire survey data from two slums reveals one lacks Assurance Empathy, where other Tangibility Responsiveness. However, Tangibility, Reliability, Responsiveness condition both flawed latrine functionalities services concerned authorities. incompatibility identified evaluating WHO's different management policy concludes like handwashing facilities water supply directly related COVID-19 prevention indigent slums.