Integrated WASH, Nutrition and Protection services for IDPs and Host Communities in Tirinkot, District, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan In July 2017, NCA and its partner, the Norwegian Project Office/Rural Rehabilitation Association For Afghanistan (NPO/RRAA), carried out a needs assessments on the urgent and unmet water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in host communities in Tirinkot district, Uruzgan province, with the aim on contributing to reducing the incidence of child mortality and morbidity brought about by water-borne disease, undernutrition, and mine risk exposure. Nine villages in Tirinkot were identified (Chalamgar, Da yek, Khairo kariz, New Kalacha, Now bahar, Serchakhlo, Talani, Tori, and, Zara kalach) where IDPs are living difficult circumstances and do not have access to sufficient quantities of safe water, engage in open defecation (OD) due to the lack of suitable sanitation facilities, and have little knowledge on proper hygiene and nutrition practices in emergency situations. The proposed project will reach 20,719 conflict IDPs (5,255 Families) and 37,196 underserved host community members (9,677 Families), ensuring that they have: 1) improved access to a safe water supply 2) improved access to adequate sanitation facilities 3) opportunities to practice safe hygiene and nutrition behaviors 4) an increased knowledge of protection principals and, 5) an increased knowledge of mine risks. Water sources in the target areas are unsafe, as they can be both unprotected (where they present a hazard to people and animals in the area), contain contaminated water, and be over-stressed. To meet the need for a sufficient and safe water supply, existing broken wells will be rehabilitated and new wells will be established. 170 individuals will have access to each water point. Placement of water points within the communities will reduce the burden on women and girls, who currently spend on average more than 20 minutes one-way to reach a water point. The continued functioning of the water points will be managed through local volunteer mechanics, who will be identified and trained in the operation and maintenance of the water systems, and through local caretakers. Water supply networks and wells will be rehabilitated in one health clinic and in four public schools. The installation of lockable latrines, with hand washing facilities, in IDP shelters will mitigate the spread of WASH-related diseases, ensure the privacy and security of women and children, and provide easy access for disabled persons and the elderly. Targeted households with disability and elderly people and will receive WASH services accordingly. Bathing facilities will be constructed to ensure the personal hygiene, health, dignity and well-being of project beneficiaries. Access to adequate sanitation facilities in the target clinic and schools, existing latrines will be rehabilitated. Awareness sessions will promote both hygiene and nutrition awareness and practices leading to health risk reduction. Hygiene sessions will focus on diarrhoea prevention strategies, discouraging open defecation, critical times to wash hands with soap, menstrual hygiene management, safe household water treatment, food hygiene, and 995 sessions will focus on nutrition promotion. 5,255 IDPs will receive hygiene kits. During kit distributions, orientation on the correct utilisation of the items in the kits will take place. To improve access to nutrition services, children six to 59 months will be screened and a referral system established with health centre run by the NGO operating in Tirinkot, the Afghanistan Health and Development Services (AHDS). In order to create a protective environment, awareness sessions on conflict and gender sensitivity will be organised. Mine risk education (MRE) will take place. This application is a joint proposal in line with NCA’s partnership approach to build the capacity of national civil society organisations and to ensure transparent oversight and accountability during project implementation.