Request access

 Project Overview
Project 1 Cluster Coordination
Project 2  Information Management
Project 3  Hygiene Promotion
Project 4  Capacity Mapping
Project 5  Emergency WASH Materials
Project 6 Training for Capacity Building
Project 7 Learning
Project 8(a) Right to Water and Sanitation in Emergencies
Project 8(b) Advocacy 
Project 9 Technical Support Services 
Project 10 Best Practice and Guidance 
Project 11 Environment 
Project 12 Early Recovery (Project Withdrawn)
Project 13 Disaster Risk Reduction
Project 14 Accountability
Project 15 Rapid Response Team
Inter-Cluster matrices
 
Project 1: Cluster Coordination

Cluster Coordination: As part of the Cluster Approach, the IASC Global WASH Cluster, through this project, is developing a roster of competent and trained WASH Cluster Coordinators for rapid deployment at the country level, with the objective to develop adequate coordination capacity and mechanisms for the Cluster. This section thus consists of, progress reports, and training modules and guidelines, toolkits, and emergency rosters for humanitarian response.

Project 2: Information Management

Information Management: In any emergency response, data collection (both quantitative and qualitative) and its subsequent transformation to information and ultimately knowledge, is key to a timely and effective humanitarian response. The IASC Global WASH Cluster considers this Information Management project as one of its most critical. The approach is holistic, in order to have a comprehensive system which links through the different tools developed, and where possible, link with other tools being developed by other key sectors. Information relating to the development of these tools and those that have been developed as well as their usability is accessible in this section.

Project 3: Hygiene Promotion

Hygiene Promotion: Currently the way in which hygiene promotion (HP) is implemented varies widely within agencies and it is frequently given scant attention during sector coordination meetings. It has been suggested that there is a lack of clarity within the WASH sector in relation to the purpose of hygiene promotion and its expected outcomes and that it suffers from a lack of common understanding of methods and approaches in its implementation. HP tools and training resources developed by the IASC Global WASH Cluster can be found in this section.
Project 4: Capacity Mapping

Capacity Mapping: Global Cluster Leads have a responsibility to assess and analyse capacity at a global and national level, to identify and plan to address gaps as appropriate. This project is therefore seen as part of the WASH cluster’s responsibility to ensure “operational support”. In doing so, the project maps and assesses global and national WASH sector capacities, developing tools/frameworks and piloting these tools in hotspot countries. These products and the piloting implementation plan, country reports and/or lessons learnt are provided in this section.

Project 5: Emergency WASH Materials

Emergency WASH Materials: The focus of this project is on globally available stocks which can be moved to where they are needed in a timely manner. Three components have been identified as part of the strategy with the objective of having greater preparedness within the sector for response to emergencies. This section provides reliable information on stocks’ location, ownership, access and composition and would improve predictability for planning and would help the humanitarian community to prepare better for a timely, predictable and joined-up initial response. Relevant data include listing and specification of materials and kits to be stocked by the cluster, best practices, guidelines and logistics plan.

 

Page under construction

Project 6: Training for Capacity Building

Training for Capacity Building: This project is related to the responsibilities of the Global Cluster Leads set out in the Guidance Note on using the cluster appraoch to strengthen humanitarian response. Therefore, it is seen as part of the WASH cluster's responsibility both at the global and national levels to raise the standards of humanitarian response through more aware and better trained personnel. All materials that are developed (or being developed) such as training modules and training support manuals, training implementation programmes, training of trainers (TOT) modules, needs assessment reports and piloting implementation plan are incorporated in this section 

  
Project 7: Learning in the WASH Cluster and Sector

Learning in the WASH Cluster and Sector: In its first Phase, this project combined different types of evaluations to learn about the cluster approach at both a field-implementation level and a global strategic level, and to develop a performance assessment methodology.

In its second Phase, the project is further supporting the use of the assessment methodology, and supporting technical field learning reviews. A final synthesis report of lessons learned will be completed at the end of the project in August 2009. 

Project 8(a): The Human Right to Water and Sanitation in Emergencies

The Human Right to Water and Sanitation in Emergencies: The focus of this project is on clarifying the scope and content of the Human Right to water and sanitation, and to supporting  advocacy and the implementation of this right in a humanitarian context. As part of the project a series of regional training workshops are being held in early 2009, and a handbook and self-learning CD are being developed.

Project 8(b): Advocacy for the WASH Sector in Emergencies

Advocacy for the WASH Sector in Emergencies: This project aims to ensure better prepareness in supporting WASH Emergency Response in terms of advocacy at the global and country levels. An Issues Paper is now available, and practical tools and guidelines for effective WASH advocacy approaches are currently under development. 

Project 9 Technical Support Service for emergency WASH response and Ground Water Project

Technical Support Services: Timely access to quality technical support services can be crucial in ensuring the effectiveness of a WASH emergency response. This project aims to develop a framework for technical support services for the WASH sector. This project has begun, and an initial inception report produced. Further expected outputs include: systems to allow rapid access to technical knowledge and skills; a roster of technical experts for short-term deployments.

Project 10: Best Practice
Project 11: Environment and WASH

Environment Project: Environmental issues are often overlooked in emergency WASH interventions. This project aims to map existing gaps, and to develop specific materials and training support to help prevent or reduce the environmental impact of emergency WASH responses. Currently, Phase I has been completed, and Phase II is in the inception phase.

Project 12: Early Recovery (Project Withdrawn)
 
Project 13: Development of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) best practice guidance and tools
Disaster Risk Reduction: DRR focuses on reducing the vulnerability of affected communities to future emergencies. This project will develop best practice guidance and tools to assist WASH Cluster agencies, Government partners and local civil socitey partners to incorporate DRR approaches in their emergency response and early recovery programming. 
Project 14: Guidance and Tools for Accountability in Emergency WASH Programming

Accountability: Accountability to the people with and for whom emergency WASH programmes are undertaken is a recognised gap. This project aims to develop tools and guidance that give space and consideration to people affected by crises, and thus increase the accountability and effectiveness of emergency WASH interventions.

Project 15: Rapid Response Team

WASH Cluster Rapid Response Team: The Global WASH Cluster has a responsibility to ensure surge capacity for the WASH sector in humanitarian crises. A number of mechanisms have been developed through other projects, and the RRT is one component. The RRT provides dedicated capacity for the incountry WASH Cluster for the initial 4-8 weeks of an emergency response.

Project 16: Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management: Effective knowledge management facilitates coordination, planning and decision-making for WASH Cluster stakeholders at all levels and allows for the most effective allocation of WASH resources and services both within and among clusters. Research was conducted to reveal the knowledge sharing and knowledge management needs of the WASH Cluster from  in-country/sub-national up through country and global levels.