Problem assessment: Water supply facilities require routine operation and maintenance to ensure refugees’ access to water services. Continuous new arrivals in Jamjang require additional water supply facilities. Full handover is not yet achieved for Yida WASH exit strategy. Critical WASH needs were identified in several settlements and surrounding host community sites. The provision of life-saving water supply services to the host community within Ruweng State is crucial in order to build and maintain peaceful co-existence. In Maban, there is an increasing demand for potable water for domestic, livelihood and environment activities. With unpredictable security situation, there is need for hand pumps to be drilled in order to provide back up for the current four operational boreholes and to support livelihood and environment activities across the four camps. In Makpandu refugee settlement, some of the existing boreholes fitted with hand pump are producing water with red precipitates because of rusted water pipes that require immediate replacement. In Gorom refugee camp, there is need for continuous maintenance / repair of water facilities including those for the host community. In Lasu, all boreholes including the two water yard systems have been destroyed during the conflict in 2016 and need to be re-established.
Comprehensive response: Continue to operate, maintain and manage water supply facilities and services in all refugee locations. In Jamjang, UNHCR will focus on; drill and solarise two boreholes, install one steel tank, extend 15 kilometres of water pipelines, implement Yida water supply handover roadmap (exit strategy), and drill eight boreholes in the host community sites. Continue to prioritize care, operation, maintenance and sustainable management of the water supply facilities. There is currently a total of 20 boreholes (11 in Ajoung Thok) and (9 in Pamir). In Maban, focus is to maintain at least the current water supply per person per day, continue with supplying water for livelihood and environment activities, maintain the current 33 motorized boreholes and 40 hand pumps in sound condition, drill additional three motorized and solarized boreholes and five hand pumps in Kaya and Doro refugee camps. In Lasu refugee settlement, UNHCR will restore supply of clean water through rehabilitation and servicing of 17 boreholes and 2 water yard systems. In Makpandu refuge settlement, UNHCR will rehabilitate/repair/maintain 12 existing boreholes and solarize up to 40% of them, strengthen / support 28 members of the water management team. In Gorom refugee camp, UNHCR will maintain / repair the existing six boreholes. UNHCR and the relevant actors also need to continue to engage and collaborate with the local authorities in order to ensure a responsible disengagement with a smooth handover and transition period undertaken.
Prioritised response: In Jamjang, UNHCR will drill and & solarise one borehole, and install one high capacity steel tank in Pamir camp, extend 10 kilometres of water pipelines and distribute networks, drill six boreholes and excavate three Hafirs in the host community, implement Yida water supply handover roadmap allowing a transitional period of at least 6 months as well as drill and solarise two high yielding boreholes in Phase II of Pamir camp. In Maban, UNHCR will maintain the 33 boreholes and 40 hand pumps and drill 2 new motorized boreholes and three hand pumps in Kaya. In Lasu refugee settlement, UNHCR will restore supply of potable through rehabilitation and servicing feasible boreholes and water yard systems and also improve towards wastewater management in the camps, using appropriately designed structures and conduct capacity building of community members, and WASH staff and volunteers. Routine operation, repair and maintenance of the piped water supply facilities and services in Gorom refugee camp, advocate and encourage other sister partners that have similar mandates like UNICEF to take lead in host community in supporting County WASH Department in both capacity building and Hand pump repair equipment, maintain / repair the existing six boreholes.