Emergency WASH support to IDPs and Vulnerable host communities in Rubkona and Panyijiar Counties with high malnutrition, GBV and cholera prone. Political, ethnic, and inter-communal fights are a major source of displacements in South Sudan. Recent fighting between the government forces and the rebels has polarized the counties of Rubkona and Panyijiar. Cattle raiding,abduction of women and children GBV cases and killings has seen population seeking refuge to areas perceived “safe” leaving their farms and crops leading to insufficient food hence malnutrition among the children and the elderly.According to Integrated food security Phase Classification (IPC) January 2017-Communication Summery, Panyijiar was classified as Emergency (IPC Phase 4) in January 2017 because of the relative stability of the area, slightly better access to markets, and the regular delivery of assistance. However, food consumption and livelihood change data for Panyijiar showed a mix of Emergency and Famine levels of food insecurity (IPC Phases 4 and 5) and a Mass MUAC screening reported a proxy GAM prevalence of 37.7 percent, including a SAM prevalence of 11.8 percent, more than double the Famine threshold (IPC Phase 5 for Acute Malnutrition – Extreme Critical). High numbers of IDP’s have been observed entering Panyijiar from Famine-affected counties to the immediate north, greatly increasing the number of severely vulnerable households in the area and likely contributing to Extreme Critical acute malnutrition levels.  This has impacted community resilience in both Counties were women travel to the river to collect water Lilly seeds to feed their children .The impact of conflict on WASH facilities is also enormous in the two counties(Panyijiar and Rubkona)Lack of maintenance of boreholes,destruction of boreholes by armed actors and complete absence of boreholes were described by FGD participants as the main reason for lack of access to safe drinking water in Panyijiar and Rubkona.Acknowledging that poor WASH services are a key driver to poor health, and ultimately resulting in high malnutrition this project will integrate WASH and nutrition and mainstream GBV while targeting SAM/MAM children and their families in Rubkona and Panyijiar Counties of Unity State.

This project is alive to the contribution of WASH in addressing Cholera in the community .Panyijiar and Rubkona Counties have previously recorded cholera cases.According to cholera situation report 5 Jan 2018,Rubkona had a total of 30 cholera cases as per the test conducted in collaboration with the ministry of health while Panyijiar had one confirmed case.These project will integrate WASH and Cholera activities targeting the vulnerable communities in Panyijiar and Rubkona counties in order to decrease the risk of transmission in this areas which are coupled with poor WASH services. To mitigating GBV risks in WASH activities,this project will integrate GBV in its activities in the targeted counties.Gender will be put into consideration by consulting different genders(especially women) when locating grounds for constructing WASH facilities. Activities will be implemented both at community and household level, with an aim of reducing the risk of GBV, including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).