WASH support for safe water and improved sanitation for returnees and families affected by drought in Kunduz Province ltpgtAfghanistan continues to struggle with the effects of four decades of conflict, entrenched poverty, climate-induced crises, and barriers to women's equality and involvement in public life. The political change in August 2021 has intensified pre-existing vulnerabilities, including scarce livelihood opportunities for both urban and rural populations. Geopolitical and regional dynamics continue to impact Afghanistan, with 1.9 million Afghans having returned to the country in 2023, including over 471,000 from Pakistan since mid-September. An additional 1.4 million returnees are anticipated from Iran and Pakistan in 2024. ltspangtAccording to the Concern MEAL team's assessment findings, the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) situation is precarious in Kunduz province. The reports indicated that 43% of the respondents stated they do not have access to protected water sources. Instead, they rely on drinking water from unprotected wells, springs, and surface water. Kunduz province is highly susceptible to natural disasters, and climate change's effects have worsened.lt/spangtlt/pgtltpgtltspangtltbrgtlt/spangtlt/pgtltpgtTo address these needs, Concern will implement the following activities over 10 months and 15 days:lt/pgtltpgtltbrgt-Rehabilitation and repair of community water sources (groundwater wells). 120 water sources will be targeted for reparation/rehabilitation, and 120 communities will benefit.ltbrgt-Rehabilitation and repair of sanitation facilities, including latrines and handwashing stations, in drought-affected communities. 120 latrines targeted for reparation/rehabilitation by CWW and 120 communities will benefit.ltbrgt-Conducting hygiene promotion in schools to minimise the risk of AWD/cholera. 25 sessions of hygiene promotion delivered by CWW and 25 schools will benefit.lt/pgtltpgtltbrgtThe proposed intervention aims to provide support to returnees and drought-affected families for WASH activities. These activities will be achieved by Rehabilitation and repair of community water sources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion. Concern Worldwide will repair the water sources and latrines and provide sanitation facilities and hygiene promotion of the returnees and drought-affected families in Ali Abad and Chahar Darah districts of Kunduz province.ltbrgtltbrgtlt/pgtltpgtThe materials required for repairing the water sources and latrines are locally available, which most households cannot afford due to insufficient financial resources. Concern will ensure the rehabilitation of wells and latrine following the WASH cluster standards and align with the PRRDs priorities and existing policies, guidelines, and manuals. Concern will ensure the rehabilitation of wells following the WASH cluster standards and align with the PRRDs priorities and existing policies, guidelines, and manuals. The 120 wells and 120 latrines are to be repaired across the 2 districts.  lt/pgtltpgtConcern will integrate gender and inclusion-sensitive strategies, and promote positive spending choices. Gender, age and disability considerations will be carefully integrated to ensure the response is inclusive of all segments of a community, particularly children, the elderly, women, and people with disabilities. Concern’s programme experience indicates that these groups are disproportionally affected by crises and face significant barriers in accessing humanitarian assistance and providing feedback. As such, Concern is committed to a gender-balanced and diverse workforce and will advocate with local authorities to ensure women can work and access humanitarian assistance. Concern will also engage female Community Focal Points (CFP) to ensure the views, preferences, challenges and feedback of women and other vulnerable groups are addressed.ltbrgtlt/pgt