Provision of Emergency WASH services to the drought, conflict-affected and vulnerable communities in Ghor Province. The 2022 Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) aims to reach 22.1 million individuals across the country with essential life-saving humanitarian and protection assistance. "Timely, multi-sectoral, lifesaving, equitable, and safe support is delivered to crisis-affected persons of all genders and diversities to reduce death and morbidity," says the HRP's strategic objective 1. Multiple issues confronting Afghans, including La Nia-induced weather abnormalities, political transition, economic depression, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, are worsening millions of Afghans' pre-existing needs and vulnerabilities. 
A national drought was officially declared in June 2021, the worst for more than three decades. 80 percent of the country is now suffering either severe or serious drought. This historic drought with exceptionally low precipitation below normal in 2020-2021 has added to a long silent crisis. Findings from the 2021 WoAA confirmed drought as the third most frequently reportedly experienced shock with 39 percent of all households, reporting so. More specifically, the west was one of the hardest-hit areas with 86 percent in Ghor province. similarly, findings from the mid-year 2022, WoA assessment indicate that 17% of households relied on inadequate water sources at the time of data collection. Besides, 17% of the assessed households reportedly did not have access to soap. Furthermore, 42% of households reported using unimproved sanitation facilities, while 2% reported not having a sanitation facility at all. Drought-affected households more frequently reported that their water points were not functioning or drying up (13%) compared to non-drought-affected households (5%). About 72% of assessed households reported a lack of access to sufficient water to meet daily needs such as drinking, cooking, handwashing, personal hygiene, or other domestic uses. Around 3% of assessed households reported water points, and 10% reported sanitation facilities as areas unsafe for women/girls.

To respond to this worse situation, as part of this proposed project, AABRAR will provide lifesaving WASH support to a total of 55,440 affected people (16,632 women, 16,632 men, 11,088 girls, 11,088 boys) in the targeted communities of districts Taywarah, Dolyana, and Lal-wa-Sarjangal of Ghor province. The major activities under this intervention will be as follows.
Provision of safe water for drinking, washing, and personal hygiene through the construction of 30 boreholes fitted with hand pumps, the construction of 6 boreholes with the solar operating system, and the repair of 60 broken and non-functional water wells in the targeted locations, and similar provision of safe emergency water to the drought-affected populations as last resort for two months in the targeted locations. Distribution of 3,960 family hygiene kits to the most vulnerable people with the aim to promote good hygiene practices. AABRAR will mainstream cross-cutting issues such as Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), protection and GBV, PSEA, RCCE, gender, age, and disability, and key requirements for WASH humanitarian response project.

Furthermore, to promote efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability, this project will be implemented in close cooperation with local communities, including respective community leaders, youths, the WASH regional cluster, and other partners in the area. Community engagement, their direct participation will ensure program quality, effective support and ownership of the project.