Sustainable WASH Interventions In Jebel Maraa Areas of Central Darfur. OPS code SUD-17/WS/111084

The project will be implemented in West and Central north Jebel Marra of Central Darfur. Targeted IDPs areas both in community and camps including Kairo, Kormol, Tarbil and Sonasona in Golo, and South Camp, Kambela, and Jabel Ahmer in Nertiti  localities. The local community is composed of host communities, IDPs, and returnees. A total of 71,477 (16,366 girls, 15,186 boys, 20,712 women and 19,213 men) from these communities will directly benefit from this project.
The main aim of the project is to provide access to safe WASH related services to underserved and vulnerable communities within Jabel Marra localities. To achieve this, the project will prioritize three focus areas of implementation. The first priority area is enhancing community access to potable water sources through construction of new water sources, upgrading existing water systems and rehabilitating existing water points. Two water systems will be installed with solar highbrid submersible pump so that the IDPs can have access to water at all times. Additional storage facilities of ferro-cement tank design will be constructed in each of the 2 sites to increase storage and reduce queue time for women and girls at IDP camps. WRS will replicate successful experiences from West Darfur on use of hybrid solar systems for pumping water from boreholes as opposed to just motorized system. Skills have been acquired in the installation of solar systems, building the capacity of water committees and linking committees with private suppliers in Geneina. Besides, improving the infrastructure, the project emphasizes water quality testing and yield monitoring by community volunteers. Additional 5 new hand pumps will be installed at IDPs strategic areas aimed at reducing walking distances and risks involved in exposing women and girls while fetching water. Furthermore 10 malfunctioned hand pumps will be rehabilitated.  
The second focus area is the promotion of sanitation through a community-based approach. To ensure sustainability, community volunteers will be trained on community approaches to total sanitation (CATS). And to ensure easy follow up and sustainability of CATS approach, sanitation action groups (SAGs) composed of both men and women from their respective divisions within their villages will be formed. The SAGs will be trained and supported on how to construct ferro-cement screen pit latrine especially those in rural urban areas. The ferro cement screen household latrine is environmental friendly technology which will ensure no trees are cut rather the technology will utilize sand mineral which is readily available in the area. The side slabs are thin and portable, reusable in lifetime as opposed to wooden superstructure. To ensure effective behavior change, community based hygiene promotion volunteer’s network will be established and supported to disseminate hygiene messages and monitor households’ hygiene practices. 
The third focus area is ensuring the sustainability of water and sanitation infrastructures developed by the project. Besides establishment and involvement of water user committees throughout the program life cycles, the project will provide capacity building for water user committees in areas of community mobilization, operation and maintenance of water schemes and sanitation promotion. To ensure efficiency of water systems, fast moving spares parts and tool kits will be pile stocked with clear inventory record at WR’s field bases. Community committees and pump mechanics will be trained on how to manage and keep clean records of the stock under close supervision. 
In formulating the activities and future implementation of project activities, emphasis has been given in embracing SHF 2017 WASH sector strategy and priorities. Specifically WRS has given emphasis in incorporating organizational lessons learned, hydrological studies before drilling water schemes, replacing diesel powered systems with solar systems.