Integrated Multi-Sectoral WASH and Child Protection Response

JASMAR Human Security Organization, with funding from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF), implemented the Integrated Multi-Sectoral WASH and Child Protection Response for Crisis-Affected Vulnerable Host Communities and Refugees in Alsalam and Al-Jabalain Localities, White Nile State from 1 September 2022 to 30 November 2023.

The project aimed to address water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs while strengthening the protective environment for children and adolescents among vulnerable host communities and refugees in Alsalam and Al-Jabalain localities, White Nile State. It combined community-based child protection, hygiene promotion, water infrastructure development and quality monitoring, solid waste management, and capacity building for community committees and service providers.

Key Achievements

1. Child Protection and Community-Based Protection

• Multipurpose community centres: Constructed, furnished, and equipped two multipurpose centres in Alrawat and Alakaf, Alsalam Locality, with recreational kits and tools, then handed them over to the communities in the presence of local authorities and the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

• Child protection committees: Established and trained five child protection committees in Alrawat and Alakaf, Alsalam Locality.

• Child protection awareness: Conducted four community awareness sessions on female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriage in targeted communities in Alsalam Locality.

• Community protection campaigns: Conducted 100 awareness campaigns on various child protection topics in the targeted areas.

• Staff safeguarding capacity: Trained nine project staff on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), including its principles, reporting procedures, and JASMAR’s PSEA policy. 

• Community risk assessment: Convened a consultation workshop in Kosti with partners and stakeholders to review findings on risks and threats to community-based child protection. The workshop also included a presentation on case management, and the final assessment draft was shared with partners.

• Service provider capacity building: Trained 20 service providers on child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), referral pathways, and legal assistance.

• Life skills and social innovation: Conducted five training workshops on life skills and social innovation in Alrawat and Alakaf.

• Child protection standards and centre management: Strengthened the capacity of child protection committees through training on minimum child protection standards and centre management.

• PSEA and accountability awareness: Conducted awareness sessions on PSEA and Accountability to Affected People (AAP) in the targeted communities.

2. Hygiene Promotion and Public Health

• Hygiene awareness: Conducted 120 hygiene awareness campaigns across 12 communities over 10 months, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

• Soap distribution: Distributed 6,000 bars of soap to 6,000 households in targeted communities and refugee out-of-camp locations.

• Hygiene kit distribution: Distributed 6,000 hygiene kits to 6,000 individuals, including 5,900 women and 100 persons with disabilities.

• Solid waste management: Installed 10 solid waste bins, with related equipment, in 10 targeted villages in the Juda Administrative Unit, Al-Jabalain Locality.

• Vector control: Conducted 32 vector-control campaigns in targeted areas in coordination with the relevant vector-control department.

• WASH committee training: Trained 10 existing WASH committees in the Juda Administrative Unit on health promotion, hygiene promotion, and community awareness.

3. Water Supply, Quality Monitoring, and Infrastructure

• Water quality monitoring: Collected 20 water samples from sources including hafirs and storage tanks in Kilo 4 and Kilo 8, and shared the results with the Environmental Health Department’s Water Quality Surveillance Unit.

• Safe water planning and management: Trained community committees in safe water planning and management in coordination with the Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) sector.

• Water quality testing equipment: Provided water quality testing tools to support water monitoring activities.

• Water point maintenance: Provided a mechanics’ toolbox to support the operation and maintenance of water points.

• Water infrastructure: Completed the installation of a new water yard and associated distribution connections, including an 8,400-metre pipeline from Kilo 8 to Kilo 12.

Impact

The project strengthened access to essential WASH services and hygiene supplies, supported safer water management and improved waste and vector control in targeted communities. At the same time, it reinforced community-based child protection structures, expanded awareness of child protection risks, and strengthened the capacity of community committees and service providers to contribute to safer environments for children, adolescents, refugees, and vulnerable host communities.