Emergency WASH response to a vulnerable earthquake-affected population who are exposed to risks of unsafe water, and unhygienic practices in the community Paktika and Khost provinces. Since the recent earthquake on 22 June 2022 in the Paktika and Khost provinces of Afghanistan, the population has been affected severely that these natural disasters, which have increased poverty and economic needs in the areas. Now, the intense situation for the population has faced the population with life-saving danger. Though the population of Afghanistan is experiencing the devastating effects of the prolonged drought that is suffering the population since June of 2021 due to the earthquake, this changed the instability further within the community, and issues related to WASH, shelter, and financial systems are collapsed a lot. Security and political instability are relatively good in the rural areas that are able to have access, but on the other side, the rough access routes to most of the villages created the situation challenging. The recent earth and drought as the harsh winter conditions approach will suffer the population and quick action is required especially WASH. The assessment right after the earthquake in June and July 2022, many households are struggling to consist source of clean and safe drinking water while sanitation and hygiene conditions fall far below in the areas. AWD and COVID-19 already estimated that people are suffering vastly, and the absence of WASH facilities and shelters will increase the problems. 

Needs are huge and for a very quick response, in this context, this proposed 8-month intervention aims to provide WASH services to 20,060 individuals across 2 provinces (Paktika and Khost) districts (Barmal, Giyan, and Spera). In this intervention, CAHPO aims to rehabilitate the existing water sources and increase the supply and quality of the water accessible to the population of the earthquake-affected villages in the mentioned districts in these provinces. The intervention will be more on rehabilitation works to existing water sources, such as wells and boreholes, and networks to ensure the provision of clean and safe water for the people defined in the 2nd RA Allocation 2022. Furthermore, CAHPO will construct several new water sources in locations where gaps in water provision exist and rehabilitation does not solve the access. All constructed and rehabilitated water sources and networks will be tested to ensure that the targeted communities will have a safe source of water. Also, all the water sources will be chlorinated to ensure clean water is provided to the community. According to the WASH Cluster strategy, the Hygiene Kits will be provided by UNICEF and/or DACAAR.

The RCCE WG guideline that in line with WHO and MoPH’s recommended measure, every activity implemented under the project will be strictly adapted in relation to AWD and COVID-19. The project staff involved will receive awareness sessions on all the WASH including AWD and COVID-19. CAHPO will use the opportunity of community mobilization and outreach to disseminate key messages on AWD and on basic mitigation measures. CAHPO’s staff is trained and has experience in awareness raising that could provide awareness raising appropriately. The CAHPO’s presence in the targeted provinces of intervention will help tailor the message to the communities easily.
According to RCCE guidelines, CAHPO will establish Two-way communication with local or target communities to receive their feedback and share relevant information with them to prevent COVID-19 transmission and promote behavior change, including consideration of rumors and weak messaging based on the community perception.

Community Shura members are actively allowed by the new administration to assist in the process. In addition, the project team consults the activities with the NGO commission of the new administration. Though some of the issues are sensitive the project team will try to advocate for them, e.g. GBV, and access to water points for all including women.