Provision of timely and equitable integrated WASH services to the conflict, epidemic and natural disaster affected populations to address their most urgent needs in terms of WASH and WASH/GBV, through an Emergency preparedness (EPR) Mechanism in the 26 priority locations of South Sudan Considering how crisis in South Sudan are sudden and unpredictable but recurrent, the EPampR mechanism is an appropriate way to address the needs of the most vulnerable and affected populations. The current capacities of the EPampR and other existing Rapid Response Mechanisms system are insufficient in comparison to the needs. Thus, the proposed project aims to contribute and scale up the EPampR mechanism. 

Through this present project, SI will be able to deploy 6 rapid assessments in all the 26 priority counties targeted by the SSHF – A2. These assessments will be mainly oriented to the WASH needs and gaps, but will include a comprehensive data collection regarding the other sectors (health, nutrition, food security, protection mainstreaming, etc) in an integrated approach strategy. These assessments will be carefully reported and shared through the WASH Cluster and any other relevant forum. More specifically, SI is already an active member of the EPampR working group, and will share the main findings of theses assessments to its partners. 
Afterwards, if needs are confirmed, the EPampR actors will decide collectively to deploy an EPampR response, or to advocate towards an other sectors or static actors.

In addition, through this project, SI plans to deploy 3 full WASH package responses. 
Depending on the findings of the technical assessments, SI will improve the water supply, mainly through repair, rehabilitation, cleaning and chlorination of the water points. At the same time, SI will scale up the access to the toilets with repair and rehabilitation of the sanitation infrastructures at household and institutional levels. WASH NFI and MHM kits will be distributed to the most vulnerable in order to ensure the consumption of safe water. Finally, the community will be directly involved in the implementation and will participate through the recruitment of Community Hygiene Promoters and hygiene promotion campaigns and awareness sessions. 
All these activities will be dealt with a strong gender-sensitivity approach, to prevent GBV issues around the WASH services and facilities, in the respect of the Do No Harm principle. 

These 8 months of implementation will allow to follow especially a few triggers. We could expect more population movements during the dry season. The specificity of the EPampR mechanism will be able to address the needs of the recent displaced population, either IDPs or returnees. These movements, and also the insufficient rains registered for 2019 so far, would add pressure on the existing water sources. This could impact the refill of the ground water table or the availability of surface water, and we could expect a potential shortage of drinkable water. Furthermore, the period of the project could partially cover the lean season when the population could be in vulnerable livelihood situation. 

The EPampR capacity is a strong added-value when it’s well coordinated. A close follow up of the needs and the alerts, a clear communication and information sharing, and an accurate analysis of the local capacities can enhance the efficiency and the relevance of this EPampR mechanism. To support the WASH Cluster, SI will dedicate one expatriate staff to the WASH Cluster Sub National Coordination for Central Equatoria. This position will optimize the coordination between the different EPampR partners, the complementary with the static partners, the field analysis of the gaps and the needs, the decision based on evidence, etc.