WASH Drought Emergency Response Project in Ghor  Faryab Provinces Due to 2020/2021 drought, the recharge of aquifers has been significantly reduced. This has affected the quantity and quality of water available for drinking and domestic use, contributing to AWD outbreaks, with cholera cases reported. The 2022 spring period is expected to see drought conditions continue in water-scarce areas, notably in rural areas where pastoralists rely on surface water and in locations with high groundwater salinity levels. Inability to access safe and clean drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene will deepen vulnerabilities, especially from spring until summer – the highest-risk periods for AWD. Cyclical AWD, cholera and other communicable disease outbreaks are anticipated during and after flood season, with increased risk of cholera among vulnerable populations in urban settings and rural, water-scarce areas .

According to a recent multi sectoral assessment conducted by World Vision in Badghis,Ghor,Faryab and Herat in March 2022, most households, 74.5% use unsafe water sources 75.3% use less than 20 liters/person/day households rely on negative water shortage coping strategies- reliance on rivers, springs /streams rain water harvests regulate use. Children are responsible for fetching water (53.7%) and 45.2% miss school because they are fetching water.

To provide lifesaving, equitable and safe WASH assistance to crisis affected people of all genders and diversities, the proposed intervention will see approximately 21,000 people (Male 5110, Female 5320, boys 5260 and girls 5310) from crisis affected districts (Pasanband, Saghar, Firozkoh and Taiwara) in Ghor and (Pashtonkot, Dawlat Abad and Gurziwan) in Faryab. Access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene will be improved through construction of 7 solar powered water systems, water quality testing and surveillance of water systems (at least 3 tests per water system), establishment and training of 7 water management committees on operation and maintenance of the systems will be done to ensure water safety as per WHO/ANSA standards and sustainability of water systems. Hygiene promotion (awareness creation sessions) and distribution of hygiene kits will  be conducted to promote good hygiene practices such as handwashing with soap coupled with COVID-19 prevention messages as a means to reduce  risk of infection for beneficiaries in target locations. 

As part of a multi sectoral approach, WASH interventions will complement the FSL, Protection, Health and Nutrition sector responses and will be implemented in the same locations to promote a holistic response to the multi sectoral needs in these communities. 

This will directly contribute to eligible action1 underlined in the SA1 allocation strategy ‘WASH in Health’ targeted rapid response to AWD/cholera at household, community and institution levels, based on epidemiological findings (hygiene kits distribution, water quality control, urban water network line chlorination, regular shock chlorination of unprotected wells, handwashing promotion, safe excreta management)”. 

Responding to one of standard allocation themes (Theme1:Expanded humanitarian access and response in underserved and hardest-to-reach locations) World Vision seeks to provide emergency lifesaving safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene practices, diarrhea,AWD in some areas and malnutrition rates will decline, thus “saving lives in the areas of highest need” (HRP SO1). Provision of durable solar powered water supply networks and Reverse Osmosis systems to target locations that are frequently exposed to drought and were affected by recent conflict ensure that "vulnerable people are supported to build their resilience" (HRPSO3).

(HRP SO1):Timely, multisector, life-saving, equitable and safe assistance is provided to crisis-affected people of all genders and diversities to reduce mortality and morbidity. The project implementation will be 12 months expected to start on July 01, 2022 to June 30, 2023.