The Wash Service Centers (WSC) Initiative

Rationale , Strategy and Implementation: In view of the absence of an active WASH field coordination and management for IDPs settlements parallel to poor capacity of local governorate on services delivery and the lack of information on IDPs ongoing movement, UNICEF has launched new initiative labelled WASH Service Centers (WSC). The WASH Services Center is an operational unit to follow up overall WASH services in its respective area of interventions (formal, non- formal settlements, collective centers and unfinished buildings). Administratively it was managed by local NGO for the first phase of its establishment after which it will be linked with the concerned local Municipality, while technically it reports to WASH cluster.

The Context Trends and Challenges: Poor capacity of local WASH teams at Governorate level (Center Gov.) Limited representation of international NGOs in Iraq’s (Central zones) Limited capacity and expertise of the local NGOs in IDPs crisis (Center Gov.) Challenging security situation and limited access to the affected population Potential sudden influx of waves of IDPs Weakness of governmental regulatory framework to drive WASH services for the affected population in humanitarian context / hard to reach areas Unavailability of WASH platform at field level to receive and respond for IDPs complaints. Paralysis of utilities in newly retaken communities, most of water projects are out of order and/or with lack of fuel, purification materials and spare parts. High mobility of IDPs hampering efficient WASH response in the area High costs of WASH interventions, high cost of O&M in line with large scale displacement with exhausted economic and social coping mechanisms IDPs / authorities expectations in Iraq higher than globally agreed upon humanitarian standards as outlined in the SPHERE project.

Brief description of the WSCs Responsibility on a limited geographical zone including reception centers camps, non camps and surrounding host communities /retaken areas Managed by NGO familiar with the context of the targeted zone. Staffed by IDPs residing in the camps and surrounding host communities available 24 hours 7 days a week.

Main tasks of WSCs Coordination includes but not limited to: Cooperation with clusters members / local authorities and government service providers to ensure providing well-coordinated WASH services. Receipt daily IDPs WASH complains and follow up on response with partners and/or concerned local authorities. Information sharing, daily situation updates, weekly progress reports to WASH cluster focal point Carry out needs assessments and share with WASH cluster Collect and share daily water quality reports. Support adapting functional frameworks /applicable master plans to ensure viable and sustainable WASH Services at both camp and non camps levels. Liaising with local security authorities to support logistic and facilitate delivering WASH emergency items to the targeted population. Support providing functional Space for WASH partners regular meeting. Prepare list of available local capacities /volunteers, workers, promoters...etc.

Main tasks of WSCs Service Delivery includes but not limited to : Basic immediate response to new IDPs in reception / transit centers /camps in coordination with other Clusters / WASH partners and local authorities. Response for emerging WASH needs in areas out of coverage by WASH partners. Covering gaps of Operation and maintenance of WASH facilities in IDPs settlements. Support distribution of WASH emergency supplies for WASH partners. Provide and manage sufficient and functional space (Rub halls) for preposition basic NFI and other WASH emergency supplies. Support decommissioning of no-more-need WASH facilities in IDPs settlements. Ensure well- organized visibility of actors and/or donors.

WSCs Operation Framework

Geographical locations –Anbar (4)& Baghdad (5)

Geographical locations –Salahaldin (3) &Kirkuk(1)

Geographical locations –DUHOK (2)

Geographical locations –Erbil (2-Planned) Zone 1; Bartalla Reception center, AL Hamdaniyah zone including (AL-Khaer, HasanSham, Chamakor camps..etc) Zone 4; Al-Qayyara –Hammam Al-Alil zone including (Qayyara , Haj Ali camps..etc) and Abo Saif, Al-Salamiyah and Hammam Alalil reception centers

WSCs-Achievement – 2016 MY

Lesson Learned: Real time data available for cluster IMOs and rapid response for any urgency have significantly enhanced WASH cluster response. The system has enabled implementing of more durable WASH interventions to provide sustainable WASH services . The relevance of project’s design is reinforced by evidence from the Weekly Activity Reports which demonstrate a clear and present need for increased provision of WASH services for IDPs coupled with a lack of local capacity for meeting those needs. UNICEF’s commitment to partnering with Local Non-Governmental Organizations (LNGOs) for the management of the WSCs is an approach which contributes to the ongoing relevance of the project and enhance the capacity of those NGOs. The WASH Service Centers have been successful in coordinating field meetings with local authorities and other humanitarian partners. Rapid Needs Assessment Reports have been successfully developed for the WASH Service Centers. Less dependency on international actor and enhance government capacity working with a local actors. Leveraging local resources at governorate level

Moving forward: considering the outcomes of third party review done in June 2016, it was agreed to: Enhance the capacity of WSC through embedding additional competencies (Health, Nutrition, Education and Child protection) to cover overall UNICEF mandate. Extend the system for other Iraqi governorates. Moreover, the model was presented globally to be adopted in similar context within the or out of the region.

THANK YOU