Improve access to water and sanitation services to address life-threatening needs and ensure sustainable community-level solutions. With operational presence and implementation capacity in areas targeted by the proposed project, the consortium - comprised of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Peace Wind Japan (PWJ) and Dijla Agriculture Association (DAA) - aim to protect, from the consequences of the 2014-2017 crisis and the humanitarian impact of COVID-19 (C-19), 20,194 returnees and out-of-camp IDPs (28% women 28% men, 22% boys, 22% girls) including 1,010 PWDs, in Al-Hatra and Al-Baaj districts in Ninewa Governorate and in Summel district in Duhok governorate. In line with the allocation strategy priorities, the partners will address gaps in WASH affecting acutely vulnerable returnees and out-of-camp IDPs in selected underserved areas. In accordance with cluster/sector guidelines, vulnerable groups most impacted, including GBV survivors, women, men, children, elderly persons at risk of SEA, female-headed households, and PWD will be prioritized.

In the fifth year after the conclusion of large-scale military operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), 961,000 people are still in acute need of humanitarian services. To address the challenges in meeting the basic WASH needs, this project aims to provide sustainable and durable water and sanitation support services and promote hygiene practices for acutely vulnerable out of camp IDPs and returnees. Water provision and sanitation will be improved through solid waste management and the light rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure. Additionally, this project will also improve the hygiene practices in the affected population through hygiene awareness session and distribution of IEC materials. PWJ will implement all project activities in Summel reaching 5,360 people, DAA will implement project activities in Hatra reaching 5,324 people, and LWF will implement activities in Baaj reaching 9,520 people. 

Localization is key to bridge the divide between aid/relief and sustainable development initiatives. The sustainability of the project relies on government and local partners’ ability to continue operating WASH services. An exit strategy is planned to ensure that capacity sits with local entities that remain long-term near the crisis affected-population. As part of this exit strategy, the international consortium members will help build the technical capacity of local government and the organizational capacity of the NNGO consortium member, DAA. To ensure effective handover of WASH services and facilities, technical trainings will be provided to local government staff on care and maintenance and service provision along with development of maintenance SOP to ensure that can be properly maintained after the project ends. Based on an organizational capacity assessment, LWF will support DAA to strengthen its institutional capacity in areas such as financial management, procurement, CRM, PSEA, and MampE systems.  

Building on its strong track record in WASH in Dohuk and Ninewa Governorates, LWF, PWJ and DAA are well positioned to implement the proposed eight-months project. With long-standing experience in implementing WASH interventions, the project will build on existing activities and will be carried out in close collaboration with government authorities, international and local organizations, and the target population.