Multi-sector integrated response to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities in Aleppo and Deir-Ez-Zor (Priority 2) In line with Priority 2 of SHF Allocation Strategy 2022, WW-GVC aims to carry out a multi-sector integrated intervention, primarily focused on the Education and WASH sectors and following an area-based approach. Protection, inclusion, gender equality, and community engagement will be key cross-cutting approaches informing the whole action. WW-GVC will deliver critical life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian assistance to IDPs, returnees, and host communities, paired with a longer-term resilience-building response. The proposed project intends to complement and maximize the impact and resources of other interventions implemented by WW-GVC and funded by ECHO, the Italian Agency of Development and Cooperation (AICS), and other SHF-funded interventions. In addition, projects carried out in a broad range of sectors by other humanitarian actors in the same geographic areas will also be complemented. For instance, in Deir-ez-Zor Governorate, WW-GVC education infrastructural and soft components will complement a broad voucher assistance program on food security in schools implemented WFP as well as the rehabilitation of learning spaces carried out by PUI. 

Building on priority analysis of the Inter-sector as well as of Education and WASH sectors, WW-GVC overall approach is meant to enhance access to critical essential services for the vulnerable population in high severity scale areas, while setting the foundations for community resilience and self-reliance and consequent reduction of dependency on humanitarian aid in the protracted Syrian crisis. 

WW-GVC will mainstream protection, gender equality, inclusion and accountability to the affected population across the whole action. This will be ensured by tailoring activities and outputs to age, gender, diversity and other vulnerability factors of the target population. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM), customized dignity kits distribution and gender-sensitive wash facilities in schools will foster the participation of young women and girls. Persons and children with disabilities will be enabled to access inclusive learning spaces and quality education services, which will be enhanced by a comprehensive capacity-building for teachers. Resilience and early recovery will be promoted by ensuring functionality and operational continuity of education and wash infrastructure through the provision of solar energy and proper hand-over to local institutions rehabilitation of vocational schools will facilitate the creation of linkages with livelihood and income-generation for vulnerable households. Communities will be engaged from the onset to the completion of the project cycle through campaigns, participatory activities and complaint and feedback mechanisms. Across different stages of the intervention, communities will be enabled to meaningfully contribute to the shaping, adaptation, and implementation strategy of the project. Community structures will be further supported and promoted with the creation of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) where parents, caregivers, and community members will actively participate in school-related activities.

Additionally, WWGVC is integrating an additional component of Emergency response under the WASH Outcomes targetted towards communities that were affected by the earthquake and/or where the water supply infrastructure is not operating up to the minimum standards of provision of safe and sufficient water. These interventions complement WWGVC's overall area-based integrated programming to exponentially improve access to services in the selected communities. Through the specified interventions of Maskana and Sheikh Saeed Pumping stations, safe and sufficient water will resume reaching around 120,000 individuals.