Summary of needs
Lack of access to WASH infrastructure increases vulnerability and exposes communities to increased water-related illnesses. Shocks, IDP camps and returnee movement increase WASH access burden due to high-density population locations, overwhelming services. A joint monitoring programme highlights a disparity of 3 per cent between rural and urban water and sanitation access. The 2024 ISNA suggests that rural sanitation is significantly underserved, with over 60 per cent practicing open defecation. Watery diarrhoea is chronic, particularly in counties identified with high rates of open defecation and lack of access to rural WASH services. In 2024, hygiene issues identified include safe water storage, overall hygiene habits and access to soap. The 2024 FSNMS reported 25 per cent of women and girls felt unsafe when accessing WASH facilities.
WASH Sectoral People in Needs 2025
WASH Sectoral Severity of Needs 2025
WASH Sectoral People Targeted 2025
Response strategy
Priority counties will be supported through static partners and gaps filled with time-bound RRMs. The WASH Cluster Strategy sets out the framework for integrating multisector collaboration. Responses will be focused on malnutrition and watery diarrhoea rate reduction, as identified by Health and Nutrition clusters. The WASH Cluster will respond to critical acute needs from shocks through informed advocacy and maintaining accessible core pipeline supplies for partners, supporting timely responses. RRMs will respond for a maximum of three months at the onset of shocks to assist communities with life-saving activities. Community resilience will focus on preventing WASH-related issues for the most vulnerable and at-risk households, identifying development opportunities.
Rubkona County, Unity State
Displaced people collect water from a water point funded by the Central Emergency Response Fund in Kuermandoke area in the Bentiu IDP site B.
OCHA/Sarah WaiswaTargeting and prioritization
Vulnerability to WASH-related health risks was identified for resident communities, returnees and IDPs, while noting the needs of residents affected by the Sudan crisis. WASH response will focus on areas susceptible to shocks and prioritized for life-saving activities, while at-risk communities will be targeted for resilience programming to reduce their vulnerability. The cluster will collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data on access to and use of WASH facilities, including safety and security concerns, to inform targeted interventions and ensure that the specific needs of women, girls, men and boys are met.
Promoting accountable and inclusive programming
The WASH Cluster implements the Global WASH Cluster Accountability and Quality Assurance (AQA) approach, which is central to the WASH Cluster Strategy. In 2025, the cluster will continue to promote the AQA approach, concentrating on quality and impact through information-sharing, community engagement and feedback mechanisms. WASH partners will engage with communities on self-resilience, promoting community-sustainable solutions to water and sanitation through community ownership. The cluster will monitor AQA throughout the 2025 response, continue to support partners and adjust strategies to community engagement through learning and evaluation and CCEWG guidance.