Conflict-affected and underserved populations in Anbar, Baghdad and Ninewa have access to safe, sufficient and appropriate WASH services and an improved sanitary living environment. In order to address the critical WASH needs of conflict-affected and underserved populations in the governorates of Anbar, Baghdad and Ninewa, DRC proposes a two-pillared approach to emergency WASH  interventions, that will facilitate immediate and lifesaving access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.. In the proposed intervention, the first phase of DRC’s response will ensure that targeted populations have access to the minimum standards of WASH services. This phase will consist of the rapid provision of communal water tanks, water trucking, installation of emergency latrines and hand-washing stations, and distribution of core WASH items. Under the framework of this project, DRC will also preposition contingency WASH supplies in anticipation of an influx of displaced families in Ninewa as a result of renewed military operations in Mosul.  This first line response will also support local solid waste management that will reduce the spread of disease among affected populations. 

The second pillar of DRC’s WASH response under this action will provide support to vulnerable communities after initial emergency needs have been met to ensure safe and sanitary living environments for conflict-affected and underserved populations residing in substandard structures and informal settlements. DRC will conduct rapid and targeted improvements at the community and household level including, but not limited to, the installation of basic water supply and storage tanks, the sealing off of exposed WASH structures to ensure privacy, safety and dignity and the installation of temporary latrines, showers and hand-washing facilities. Hygiene promotion activities will underpin all technical interventions ensuring that installed facilities are appropriately used by the beneficiaries and will increase health awareness and prevent diseases related to poor hygiene practices. 

This second line response will be implemented though DRC’s mobile site management approach that combines (i) mobile team site visits led by DRC’s CCCM teams (ii) the development of site profiles and multi-sector assessments through a participatory methodology and (iii) coordination of site level interventions, including liaising with all relevant stakeholders. This approach facilitates a transition between first and second line responses allowing water and sanitation networks and facilities to be improved to meet minimum standards of service provision. 

The provision of WASH assistance always implies an integrated approach to water, sanitation and hygiene where the complementarity between the three sub-sectors (or the “hard” infrastructure components and the “soft” community engagement component) coherently improves the access to basic needs and ensures the maintenance of health amongst affected populations. Therefore the provision of safe water (e.g. for handwashing and personal hygiene) ensures that adequate levels of sanitation and personal hygiene are achieved conversely, proper sanitation and hygiene awareness improves the safety of water made available to populations (e.g. through excreta disposal, safe water handling and storage). This results in an easing of competition for local resources and services, which is particularly important as at the community-level in all target locations, water networks and infrastructure are reported to be insufficient to cope with the demands being placed on them by the influx of IDPs as well as the regular use by local host communities.