Access to safe water and improved hygiene and sanitation of the most vulnerable population of Magwi county, EES. This project will respond to the need of the most vulnerable 1,094 households (6,563 individuals) among the conflict-affected population of Lobone payam, Magwi county, Eastern Equatoria State. The project targets the most vulnerable IDPs, returnees, and host population, particularly focusing on people with protection concerns and with most acute needs, in order to alleviate their sufferings and foster protection through access to safe water, and improvement of hygiene and sanitation.
The project activities will include direct distribution of WASH kits (each containing 120 aqua tabs/PUR, 3 bars of soap, 1 filter cloth and 2 buckets) to the most vulnerable 588 HHs (3,528 individuals), especially including female-headed households, residing in areas with high number of protection concerns reported and not having immediate access to a clean water source. The LCED team will identify such areas through in-depth assessment, and estimated 4 Relief Distribution Committees (RDCs) will be established at each distribution site, to facilitate the identification of the most vulnerable households and their needs, through community participation. This activity will also imply training of the beneficiaries on household water treatment, which will be conducted house-to-house by 12 trained community hygiene promoters.
The project activities will also include 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with women and girls in order to identify 30 collective water points with secure location and access. At the same time, 5 Water Management Commitees (WMCs) will be established and trained in each area, which will be responsible for the maintenance of 6 water points identified.
Another project activity will be the rehabilitation/improvement of 30 existing sanitation facilities, in order to make them secure, protected and gender-appropriate (gender-segregated latrines with provision of locks and doors). This will include other 10 FDGs, 5 with women and 5 with men. These activities will be paired with community sensitization on the use and maintenance of safe water sources and appropriate sanitation facilities, and on the use of correct hygiene and sanitation practices, e.g. the need of washing hands at critical moments, preserve food and preserve water in the correct way, and avoid open defecation, especially near open water sources. Hygiene promotion sessions will be conducted in common spaces in various locations, by 18 trained hygiene promoters, for a total of 12 sessions in the course of 6 months.
In the past six months LCED has strengthen its mobile capacity by hiring a WASH officer with a strong background in project implementation in Greater Equatoria, and a Programme Associate, in order to develop an integrated and multisector approach to identify and reduce acute needs. The LCED management will be involved in initial assessments and the MampE exercises, to guarantee transparency and accountability. LCED will continue to closely collaborate with the WASH Cluster in order to guarantee the access to clean water and the improvement of hygiene and sanitation of the affected population in a timely and efficient manner, and provide monthly update on the implementation progress.