Addressing widespread severe WASH needs of IDPs, vulnerable host communities and returnees through an integrated response in GBV in Pariang County, Ruweng Administrative Area Despite the relative peace and improved security situations countrywide, the consequences of the successive severe and prolonged conflicts, coupled with underdevelopment in South Sudan, have left an estimated 5.5 million people in need of WASH services for 2020 with 3 million beneficiaries (vulnerable Host and IDPs) being the WASH Cluster’s 2020 target. The current SSHF SA 1 2020 project will target 42,352 vulnerable IDPs and Host communities out of 46,467 people (IDPs and Host) and will implement frontline lifesaving activities to address the acute vulnerabilities related to WASH sector in an integrated approach in GBV in 9 identified Payams of Pariang County. Pariang being one of the 2020 WASH Cluster prioritized counties in South Sudan with highest severity (in terms of caseload and gaps in services) and also one of the remotest and underserved counties of former Unity State, with more than 81% of the existing boreholes currently out of use due to inadequate spare parts/maintenance tools, lack of user community contribution toward OampM of their water points, limited technical staff (handpump mechanics) among others. Due to the current severe gaps of WASH basic services in Pariang County, women and girls who are the primary users of WASH services are exposed to potential risks of gender-based violence (GBV), sexual harassment or even raps on a daily basis. The project intends to use a transversal approach to address widespread severe WASH needs of IDPs, vulnerable host communities and returnees in nine Payams of Pariang County, where WASH needs are extremely demanding to mitigate GBV risks, targeting the community, households and schools with an aim of reducing the risk of GBV, including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) with involvement and full engagement of women and girls in all the project cycles with demonstration/training on use of MHM (menstrual Hygiene Management) and provision of MHM kits to the identified menstrual girls and women. FGDs will be conducted in every selected Payam where community boreholes/latrines will be constructed/rehabilitated to discuss GBV risk by involving women and girls co-chaired by a GBV partner on ground, in this case the IRC (International Rescue Committee). It will provide timely/sustainable, equitable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for conflict affected IDPs, vulnerable host communities and returnees to expand rehabilitation of existing handpumps and community/institutional gender segregated latrines and increase knowledge on key sanitation and hygiene promotion messages that promote good hygiene practices thus reduces disease transmission or outbreaks. As Pariang ranks among most vulnerable and hotspot counties for Entry and Spread of Covid-19 Pandemic, UNIDOR with its health and WASH expertise will conduct training of WASH and Health staff on COVID-19 messaging, construction of shared/communal segregated latrines, distribution of Home Base Care Kits and installation of handwashing stations at key areas of high risk(densely IDPs and host community settlements, main markets, health facilities, Ports of entry/arrival etc.) to promote frequent handwashing with water and soap to reduce transmission. The project will also elevate some existing WASH infrastructures in the flood-prone locations to reduce water contamination risk in flood locations and in collaboration with MWRI (Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation) and state line ministry of Physical Infrastructure conduct water quality analysis for the rehabilitated water sources which are suspected to be contaminated with harmful water contaminants (physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters) and apply an appropriate treatment.