emergency to have access to essential WASH services. Timely identification of WASH needs and associated health risks through coordinated needs assessment and analysis of data and close monitoring of the situation will inform the AWC in planning and executing responses that can prevent spread of diseases, protect dignity and alleviate suffering that might be caused due to lack of access to WASH services. This includes community mobilization, awareness creation among affected population and advocacy and tailored WASH service delivery. As in previous years, about half of the population needing WASH assistance are expected to receive such support from existing systems and infrastructure including the government’s disaster management programmes and ongoing national priority initiatives such as the Citizen’s Charter. Out of 2,334,356 people in need, AWC is targeting a total of 1,137,000 people (48.7%) for HRP 2017, among which 49.33% are female. Recently displaced conflict IDPs, returnees from Pakistan, people affected by natural disasters and over-strained communities hosting returnees and IDPs will be targeted for immediate life-saving assistance. A particular focus will be given to where the majority of returnees are settling. The population facing heightened risks of disease outbreaks due to limited or no WASH services, including prolonged IDPs and returnees and Pakistani refugees living in Afghanistan will also be provided with appropriate assistance. The AWC is committed to provide WASH services to returnee families at the border and transit points. To ensure the effectiveness of the inter-related services, AWC also includes the institutions that are providing essential health, nutrition and education services to emergency affected population. Life-saving WASH interventions take precedence over durable or longer-term solutions. Such interventions will include: distribution of family hygiene and water kits complemented by hygiene promotion; ensuring access to a minimum of 15 litres of drinking water per person per day and provision of emergency latrines to prevent open defecation. Every effort will be made to ensure that the WASH facilities are culturally appropriate and gender sensitive. The main purpose of WASH assistance in emergencies is to prevent the spread of water and sanitation related diseases. The durable solutions will be applied as second priority in areas with prolonged IDPs, returnees and communities facing public health risks including those with a higher burden of severely and acutely malnourished children. AWC DETAIL OPERATIONAL PLAN - HRP 2017 WASH response in emergency (WCO - 1 & 2)
no WASH facilities. At times, these families are also sheltered in temporary camps without safe water, latrines and bathing facilities. As a result, these population use unprotected water sources and practice open defecation. The key protective measures from water-borne diseases such as handwashing with soap at critical times is compromised in such conditions. In these situations, women and girls are at risk of harassment and young children and sick people are exposed to life-threatening diseases such as acute diarrhoea, cholera, ARI and measles. Diarrheal disease, if not treated, traps young children in a vicious circle of malnutrition and diarrhoea leading to chronic malnutrition and potential death. It is important to note here that the Afghanistan already has highest level of stunting in the world (already an emergency situation as per WHO) and very high level of under-five prevalence of diarrhoea. These repeated emergencies expose people to additional risks, further worsen the already precarious situation. Not able to provide adequate WASH services in humanitarian situation means not only risking the lives of nearly 350,000 under-five children but also violating the basic rights of more than 1.1 million people and compromise the dignity of over 400,000 women and adolescent girls that might face abuse and harassment in absence of these basic services. Guiding documents and References: The following documents and references were used for informing the need overview of the WASH sector: Afghanistan National Living Standard Survey 2013 – 2014