CO-xfam WASH Response to DRC Refugees in This project aims to reduce vulnerability to public health threats, especially diarrhoeal disease commonplace in the absence of good hygiene conditions, and protect the security of approximately 5,000 people seeking refuge in Uganda from on-going hostilities in North Kivu in DRC. This includes many of the 7,000 people who have fled DRC since mid-May as well as others projected to arrive in the coming weeks. Disaggregated data on this population is fluid but presently, the majority (70% - 80%) of this population are women and children, 2% are aged over 65 years, while 15% of the population is assumed to have some form of disability. This target population will be located in the 9 villages of Rwoma B; Kalintima A, B, and C; Rubondo A and C; Kyibale B and C; Kisura B of Rubondo Zone in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
The quantity of clean water safely accessible per person per day in these locations will be increased from the present 7 litres to 15 litres. For 75% of this target population, this water will be accessible within 500 metres.  Some 100 shared latrine units or stances, and 45 dual purpose latrine / bathing units for persons with special needs (PSNs), will reduce risk of open defaecation that contaminates ground and surface water drinking sources. One hundred (100) bathing units will be installed. The ratio of people to latrines and bathing units (excluding those for PSNs) will be 1:353 and 1:50 respectively. New facilities will be complemented by hygiene promotion, environmental cleaning campaigns, distribution of jerry cans and water buckets, andaccess by 500 women to female hygiene kits.
Our approach will promote diversity and inclusion. Engagement of Communities in public meetings will be held at times and locations readily accessible andin their preferred language(s). Referral to specialised support services including those relating to sexual and reproductive health will be facilitated by project and partner staff. Community feedback and accountability mechanisms will be in place in theform of the UNHCR led FRRM (Feedback Response Referral Mechanism) through which complaints are collected and channeled to respective agencies for response and action. Refugee Welfare Council leaders, Community dialogues, local Authorities, as well as project staff and volunteers and health actors will also support information dissemination and public and private communications. Please see also Cross-Cutting Issues below.

Intervention: This 3-month intervention will be implemented by Oxfam in partnership with the target population, National Authorities and UNHCR in their coordination capacity, local actor Nsamizi as UNHCR’s WASH partner, ACF as a fellow WASH actor, and MTI as a health actor. Oxfam will provide technical, administrative, and financial support and be responsible for contract management and monitoring of programme quality. Increased safe andproximate access to clean water will be facilitated by the laying of an additional 2 km water distribution pipeline to the currently underserviced villages hosting new Refugees, instillation of an additional 30,000 lt water storage capacity, and 3 tap stands with6 faucets each. This infrastructure and water access will be managed by members of 5-person gender balanced Water Committees responsible formonitoring of water quality, water chlorination, and conflict resolution at water points.

Latrine pits 3 meters deep and related superstructures also applicable to bathing units, as well as rubbish pits in which to dispose waste from environmental cleaning campaigns, will be constructed / prepared by trained and equipped voluntary Refugee labour recognising that some households or their members will be physically unable to partake in this work due to disability or care commitments. Superstructures forlatrines andbathing units will be comprised of wooden frame, tarpaulin sheeting, plastic dome-shaped floor slabs, and lockable doors for security and privacy. Facilities for PSNs will have wheelchair access and be located adjacent to user shelters.

Hygiene promotion campaigns will be undertaken by approximately 20 incentivised members of Refugee Village Health Teams. Latrines will have hand-washing facilities, distribution of jerry cans and water buckets will allow transportation and storage of waterfor cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene, and there will be particular focus on child-to-child hygiene promotion. Environmental cleaning kits will be distributed to 81 incentivised Environmental Cleaning Volunteers. Distribution of female hygiene kits will be supported by MTI who can support access to referral services.

Cross-Cutting Issues: Gender: Project design recognizes and aims throughout to acknowledge the distinct experience, agency, and vulnerability of people of diverse gender identities. Activities will be implemented by trained gender balanced Oxfam teams, volunteer and incentivized labour, and casual workers. Hygiene kits prioritise the specific needs of women and girls and provide a strategic entry point for dissemination of information on sexual and reproductive health and referral to support services. Female to male latrine and bathing unit ratio will be 3:1. Data collection will include sex-disaggregated data with analysis informed by intersectionality with other factors e.g. ability or circumstances of habitat / shelter. Protection: The project is aligned to the Centrality of Protection ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of people without discrimination, seeking to avoid exposure to harm and enabling access by survivors to their preferred assistance. Water points will aim to be proximate to shelters thus reducing burden of water carrying and GBV risks associated with remote water access. Latrines and bathing units likewise will be proximate, and sex-disaggregated with locks. All activities are informed by risk analysis and all who engage with Oxfam will be informed of their protective rights and how to claim and access them including confidential means to access referral services, provide feedback, and make complaints.