RCF response (Responding to Emergency needs of Ethiopian Refugees through WASH interventions in Gadaref state - Sudan) On 03rd November 2020, armed clashes were reported between the Ethiopian Defence Forces (EDF) and the Tigray Regional Security forces (TPLF) in Tigray region, Ethiopia, leading to massive population movement as communities fled for safety. As of 09th Dec.2020, the UN’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Sudan’s Government Commission for Refugees (COR) have registered over 49,370 refugees from Ethiopia. COR estimated that approximately 45% are children (0-17), 51% adults (18-59), and 4% elderly (+60) and 43% of them are women and girls. The overall refugee influx is expected to reach 100,000 over the next six months. 
Kassala state in Sudan has received the largest number of refugees entering from the border point Hamdayet, over 34,974 at Hamdayet, 12,819 at Lugdi, 875 at Abdrafi, and 702 in Blue Nile border points, according to UNHCR situation report # 14 – Dec. 2020.
The influx of refugees fleeing into Sudan need urgent humanitarian support. IR Sudan in close coordination with the government and UNHCR aims to provide support to save the lives of the fleeing refugees including mothers, children, disabled, sick and the elderly through provision of comprehensive package in WASH services including hygiene and sanitation. IR Sudan is working in Gedaref region and was part of joint rapid needs assessment conducted in Tenedba. The project aims to provide WASH assistance to 1000 HHs in Tenedba camp and any other settlement site identified and asked by Government. 
Under this project IR will construct an additional 150 latrines for the new arrivals in the Tenedba and the potential new site where refugees are going to be relocated. Complete water package including construction of 5 elevated water tanks having connections to water source and to 5 water distributions points in the camp to provide uninterrupted water facility to people living in camp as per sphere standard. Chlorination for the purification of water will be ensured through provision of 6000 aqua tabs. 20 Washing facilities/laundry places are part of the project to provide protected environment to women for washing purpose. Sanitation as an important aspect particularly in COVID context and also to minimize the risk of spread of vector borne diseases. 8 Cleaning campaigns/Hygiene awareness campaigns (one each month) will reinforce good hygiene practices, including proper use and cleaning of latrines, safe water chain approach, hand washing and proper food handling and cleaning of camp and collection of waste from the camp to dispose of in proper dumping sites through trucks/large vehicles are proposed in the project. 50 cleaning tools kits will be provided to use for these cleaning campaigns and cleaning in the camp other than these campaigns. 
To avoid repercussions and implications of poor hygiene on health and the risk of spreading Covid-19 particularly among women and children, the response will be comprehensive by integrating hygiene promotion, risk communication and covid-19 prevention. The risk communication will aim at increasing awareness of Covid-19 risks, measures necessary to prevent and reduce transmission, and the link between poor hygiene practices and Covid-19. Hygiene promotion activities will endeavor to reduce contamination through provision of 1000 boxes of masks (50 in each box), 6000 pieces of antiseptic soap for washing hands. The proposed project will save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity of conflict-affected Ethiopian refugees in Sudan.