Provision of Integrated WASH and Health Facility-based Services for Under-five, Pregnant and Lactating women during the Lean Season in Dikwa LGA ltpgtThe North East Nigeria protracted conflict has left more than 8.3 million people in need of humanitarian aid in the BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe). These needs have been exacerbated by the worsening economic situation, food inflation, new displacements, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks. Humanitarian interventions in affected local government areas have been crucial in addressing some of the unmet needs and have helped to mitigate the negative coping mechanisms and hardship experienced by vulnerable populations within the camps and communities. To reduce the suffering of affected populations by improving access to life-saving health and WASH services, INTERSOS proposes to support and optimize existing health and WASH infrastructures in the Dikwa local government area. As part of the health interventions aimed at reducing outbreaks of diseases, improving access to quality health services and promoting health awareness in the community. INTERSOS proposes to provide essential health services for children, pregnant and lactating women (using Safer Birth Bundle of Care for Borno state), and other population groups through managing 2 fixed health facilities and 2 mobile health outreach. This intervention will also provide essential medicines and supplies, and support MOH in providing secondary care services and referrals to tertiary facilities. In addition, the INTERSOS health and WASH team will collaborate closely with other partners to promote surveillance for diseases of public health emergencies and respond to outbreaks in collaboration with state RRT teams. WASH interventions conducted by INTERSOS through this funding will provide life-saving assistance through the provision of safe water through water treatment, and surveillance all through the water chain, sanitation rehabilitation and operation, waste management, and hygiene promotion at the household level by ensuring emergency and sustainable WASH services are available for the affected population in the proposed health facilities and mobile clinic catchments supported by the health team in camps and host communities. INTERSOS also proposes to train the necessary staff cadre to increase their knowledge of WASH activities. WASH staff will also be trained /sensitized on disability inclusion, and WASH staff will have an improved understanding of GBV mainstreaming and Mitigation. INTERSOS also proposes to carry out an upgrade of hand pumps with good yield to increase the number of people with access to safe water thereby reducing the risk of water contamination. INTERSOS also plans to preposition NFIs in preparation for the lean season. Given the dire health and WASH needs in some hard-to-reach areas in Dikwa LGA, INTERSOS proposes to explore opportunities that will allow for conducting outreach activities in those areas where the security situation may allow. To realize this purpose,  INTERSOS shall leverage and build on the existing pool of MOH staff and volunteers to conduct wash-health activities including OPDs,  sensitization, and health screening among other feasible activities. lt/pgt