Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015 - WASH Cluster

1 Global WASH Cluster Strategic plan 2011 - 2015 2. Global WASH Cluster Strategic plan 2011 2015 3. Executive Summary The WASH Cluster Strategic plan July 2011 - December 2015 sets out priorities and guides Cluster activities over the next four years. It builds on the achievements of the 2009-2010 Work plan and lessons learned from Cluster and inter- Cluster evaluations, while responding to emerging issues facing WASH actors in the current humanitarian context. Using the aim of the Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC) to strengthen humanitarian response as a starting point, the plan serves as a framework to strengthen coordination and to guide global, regional, and country level action in the coming years.

2 This Strategic plan has three core functions: 1. To communicate the vision, goal and expected outcomes for the WASH Cluster and humanitarian reform over the next four years through a basic Strategic framework; 2. To guide planning and prioritisation within the Cluster , at global, regional and country levels, through setting out priority core initiatives with intended outputs and indicative activities; 3. To facilitate systematic monitoring and accountability for the period of the plan . The content of the plan has been designed around five outcomes, encompassing thirteen core initiatives.

3 These reflect the priority areas of work and as part of an annual work plan enable allocation of responsibility for related outputs and activities across key actors. The five expected outcomes are: Effective coordination and adequate capacity within the Global WASH Cluster to allow realisation of the defined Strategic priorities at global level; National WASH coordination platforms are supported in an timely operational manner as needed during humanitarian crises; Through enhanced regional capacity, national preparedness strategies and sector capacities are improved Accountability within and between WASH Cluster agencies is enhanced and facilitated by the lessons learned and best practice captured through structured and formal evaluation and documentation of major responses.

4 Improved advocacy on the importance of humanitarian WASH and proactive communication of this both inter-sectorally and within the development WASH fora As well as global level outcomes and activities, the plan suggests areas where country-level WASH clusters can focus. Support will be available from the global and regional levels to articulate and deliver against these outcomes and outputs. The monitoring and reviewing of this strategy will be undertaken on an annual basis to informing on-going priorities and annual planning for WASH Cluster based activities at global level.

5 A comprehensive set of indicators has been developed to support on-going 4. monitoring. Periodic lessons learned exercises and evaluations at country and global levels will also inform (re)prioritisation within the latter part of the Strategic planning period. This content of this plan was presented and ratified by the Global WASH Cluster participants at the last Global WASH Cluster Meeting, held in Oslo on 7th and 8th April 2011 at the offices of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). On this occasion it was particularly useful to have the input of an expanded group of stakeholders, including OCHA, and several donors, notably OFDA, ECHO, NORWAY and the Netherlands.

6 5. Acronyms and Abbreviations CAP Consolidated Appeals Process CAST WASH Cluster Advocacy and Support Team CCCM CERF Camp Coordination Camp Management Cluster Central Emergency Response Fund CHAP Common Humanitarian Acton plan CLA Cluster Lead Agency DRR Disaster Risk Reduction DFID The UK Government s Department for International Development ECHO European Commission Humanitarian Office EPRP Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans ER Early Recovery ERC Emergency Response Coordinator EWA Early Warning and Action GMR Global Monitoring Review GWC Global WASH Cluster HC

7 Humanitarian Coordinator HCT Humanitarian Country Team IASC Inter Agency Standing Committee IM Information Management ISDR International Strategy for Disaster Reduction KM Knowledge Management M&E Monitoring and Evaluation OCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OFDA US Government s Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance PCNA Post Conflict Needs Assessment PDNA Post Disaster Needs Assessment RAT Rapid Assessment Team RECA Regional WASH Cluster Advisor REWA Regional Emergency WASH Advisor RRT Rapid Response Team SAG Strategic Advisory Group SOF Strategic Operational Framework SOP Standard Operating Procedures WASH Water Sanitation and Hygiene WCC WASH Cluster Coordinator 6.

8 Contents Executive Summary .. 3 Acronyms and Abbreviations .. 5 1. Introduction .. 7 Background To The Cluster Approach .. 7 Gaps And Critical Issues .. 9 The Global WASH Cluster ..10 The WASH Cluster At Regional Level .. 121 The WASH Cluster At Country Level ..12 The WASH Cluster Rapid Response Teams ..13 2. Situational Analysis .. 7 Humanitarian 7 3. Global WASH Cluster Strategic plan 2011 - 2015 .. 9 Vision ..15 Goal ..15 Strategic Objective ..15 Outcomes And Core Initiatives ..16 Strategic Framework ..17 7. 1. Introduction After four years of evolution during which the WASH sector provided significant momentum and leadership to the Cluster Approach, a point of maturity has been reached whereby all stakeholders consider it appropriate to clearly document the strategy adopted by the collective humanitarian WASH agencies.

9 This Strategy seeks to outline the background, challenges and lessons, reorientation and definition of priorities, and clarity on measurement of progress in the years 2011 - 2015 . BACKGROUND TO THE Cluster APPROACH The Cluster Approach is one of the three pillars of humanitarian reform introduced in 2006 in response to findings from a comprehensive review of humanitarian action1. The humanitarian reform process is underpinned by a focus on improving the predictability, effectiveness and accountability of multi-agency efforts to respond to escalating humanitarian needs.

10 Under the humanitarian reform process, a number of clusters were formalized including Health, WASH, Shelter, Education, Logistics, Food Security, Camp Coordination, Nutrition, Early Recovery and Protection. Under the leadership of the UN Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC), the Cluster Approach has been adopted as the framework for response in all countries with Humanitarian Coordinators (HCs) and all new major emergencies. As specified in the IASC Guidance note2, the responsibilities of the Global Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) are: Standards and Policy Setting Consolidation and dissemination of standards; where necessary, development of standards and policies; identification of best practice.