WASH Emergency Response and support for affected vulnerable population in the Gaza Strip Oxfam in partnership with the Palestinian Environmental Friends (PEF) and in close coordination with the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) and WASH cluster members (AAH, GVC, IR, and Save the Children), propose this action that is fully aligned to the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) plans and the strategic statement of the 2021 OPT Humanitarian Fund 3rd reserve Allocation Strategy Paper. The proposed action aims to contribute to strengthening the capacity of essential WASH services and efficient delivery of critical WASH services to the vulnerable population affected by the crisis in the Gaza Strip. 
The intervention will address the emergent consequences of the recent round of hostilities affecting the Gaza Strip and its impact on the WASH sector. The action will contribute to mitigating threats and vulnerabilities challenging the WASH sector in the Gaza strip and will contribute to ensuring adequate and equitable access to WASH basic services at the community level and its implications at the HH level. The operation of 7 affected WASH infrastructure will be restored in Gaza and North Gaza governorates through repairing and providing critical maintenance materials and tools. The action will also support WASH service providers in maintaining the operation and productivity of critical water facilities lacking operation materials necessary to fulfil current short-term gaps. By the end of 2021, the CMWU will be responsible to continue to mobilise resources and collection mechanisms to cover the costs of required operation materials.
The specific objective is to enhance timely, equitable and dignified direct access to basic WASH services by 400,000 individuals (97,684 men, 96,892 women, 100,444 girls, 104,980 boys) living in vulnerable communities in the Gaza strip. Oxfam and PEF will rehabilitate 7 damaged WASH infrastructures (5 water and 2 sewage networks) suffering from reduced operational capacity by 75% in 5 locations in Gaza and Gaza North (2 in Beit Lahiya and 3 in Gaza). The rehabilitation and maintenance works of targeted infrastructures will include installing UPVC and HDPE pipes, concrete manholes, fittings, and specific paving and/or tiling work to ensure sustainability. The operational materials will include provision of chlorine solution (Sodium Hypochlorite) for water disinfection to the 286 water wells for two months .
The rehabilitation and maintenance works will be accompanied with community engagement activities to raise awareness and ensure that communities' feedback and recommendations are considered during implementation. This will include ERWs risk education for workers who will be engaged in the rehabilitation work.
The proposed project will positively impact WASH services at the HH level in targeted communities since it will enhance water storage capacity and improve the quality of sanitation services. It will also contribute to alleviating the burden on women and children by managing care duties and household chores more effectively, including enhancing their engagement in decision-making processes at the HH and community levels.
Overall, Oxfam will be responsible for implementing the action in coordination with PEF, CMWU and relevant stakeholders to ensure access to systems, procedures, and standards in place to achieve effective, high-quality delivery based on the needed specifications and standards. Oxfam's particular added value will be in its ability to bring together multiple stakeholders, local authorities, end-users through its active participation in the WASH cluster and engagement with related stakeholders, ensure delivery of the action in accordance with the agreed-upon project action plan and budget in compliance to the OCHA programmatic, visibility, reporting, financial and procurement guidelines.