TAJIKISTAN WASH Cluster Contingency Plan

2014

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Acknowledgements This WASH Cluster Contingency Plan for the Republic of Tajikistan was drafted on behalf and in consultation with the WASH partners’ members, numerous governments, UN and other agencies working in the field of development and emergency relief efforts in Tajikistan. Appreciation goes all individuals and agencies who contributed to the development of this WASH cluster contingency plan. This WASH Cluster Contingency is a practical, a flexible and amendable document. It shall be periodically reviewed and updated by the WASH partners in accordance with humanitarian situations, to suit humanitarian and the Government of Tajikistan preparedness and response plans/strategies.

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Contents

Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... ii

Acronyms ............................................................................................................................. iv

A. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 5

B. Overview of WASH Situation in Tajikistan .................................................................. 6

C. Hazards and risks analysis ............................................................................................. 7

D. Scenarios and Planning Assumptions ............................................................................ 8 Scenario 1 – Small – Mid Scale Emergency: Flash flood or mudslide.................................................... 8 Scenario 2 – Large Scale Emergency: Major earthquake ........................................................................... 9 Scenario 3 – Refugee Influx ........................................................................................................................................ 9

E. WASH in emergencies ................................................................................................. 10

F. Objectives of Emergency WASH Response ................................................................ 10

G. Key definitions for Emergency WASH sector Response ............................................ 11

H. Humanitarian Cluster Approach in Tajikistan ............................................................. 12 Tajikistan Disaster Response Frameworks ...................................................................................................... 12 Tajikistan Disaster Response Mechanism ........................................................................................................ 12

I. Inter-Cluster Arrangements .......................................................................................... 14 Health and Nutrition Cluster .................................................................................................................................. 14 Education ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Shelter ............................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Protection ........................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Logistics ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Information Management and Communication ........................................................................................... 15

J. WASH Cluster Principles ............................................................................................ 15

K. WASH Cluster Strategies ............................................................................................. 16

L. Constraints to a potential emergency WASH response ............................................... 16 General constraints ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 Scenario 1: A flash flood/mudflow hitting rural districts ........................................................................ 16 Scenario 2: Earthquake ............................................................................................................................................ 17 Scenario 3 – Refugee Influx ..................................................................................................................................... 17

M. Emergency WASH Supplies and logistics ................................................................... 18

N. WASH Advocacy and communication ........................................................................ 18

O. WASH Financial resource mobilization ...................................................................... 19

Annexes ............................................................................................................................... 21 1. WASH Cluster Contingency Plan Activities ....................................................................... 21

2. National WASH sector/ Cluster key Contacts .................................................................... 21

3. WASH Cluster 4W Matrix ................................................................................................... 21

4. WASH Cluster contingency stockpiles (Draft) ................................................................... 21

5. WES and Health Rapid Assessment Check List ................................................................ 21

6. Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene initial needs assessment checklist ...................... 22

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Acronyms

4W Who is doing What, Where and When CAP CEE/CIS

Consolidated Appeals Process Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States

CERF Central Emergency Response Fund

CHF Common Humanitarian Funds

CoES Committee on Emergency Situations and Civil Defence

EU European Union

ERF Emergency Response Funds GDP Gross Domestic Product

HC UN Humanitarian Coordinator HCT IACP IASC IM MMI MoI

UN Humanitarian Country Team Inter-Agency Contingency Plan Inter-Agency Standing Committee Information Management Modified Mercalli Intensity (scale for measuring earthquake intensity Ministry of Interior

NFI Non-food items OCHA

ORS United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Oral Rehydration Solution

RC UN Resident Coordinator

RCST Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan REACT RRP

Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team Rapid Response Team

SCI Save the Children International UN UNDP

United Nations United Nations Development Programme

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

UNISDR United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

USAID United States Agency for International Development

WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

WFP World Food Programme

WHO World Health Organization

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A. Introduction Better disaster response in public health is achieved through better preparedness. Such preparedness is the result of capacities, relationships and knowledge developed by governments, humanitarian agencies, local civil society organisations, communities and individuals to anticipate and respond effectively to the impact of likely, imminent hazards. Preparedness includes contingency planning, stockpiling of equipment and supplies, emergency services and stand-by arrangements, personnel training and community-level planning training and drills1. The Tajikistan Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster Contingency Plan was developed by UNICEF on behalf of and in collaboration with WASH cluster partners, and in consultation with numerous government and UN agencies. It is developed based on an analysis of risks and its linkage to early warning systems, and is intended to serve as a model for both governmental and non-governmental structures to ensure access to safe water and improved sanitation are vital for the dignity and health of all people, more importantly for the healthy development of children in any emergency that may strike Tajikistan in the future. The WASH Cluster will work towards ensuring that specific preparedness activities for implementation are undertaken and the activation and implementation of the Contingency Plan is done accordingly, when necessary. The WASH Cluster Contingency plan consists of the following sections: Overview of WASH, Tajikistan disaster situation analysis, overview of the risks and hazards, scenarios and planning assumptions, overall disaster management and coordination arrangements, including WASH cluster approach, preparedness and maintenance actions of the contingency plan. The hazards and risks analysis section provides a brief overview of the country’s context and a short narrative description of the key risks and hazards and their characteristics. The most frequent hazards occurring in Tajikistan are avalanches, mudflows, floods and small-scale earthquakes. The potential risks of medium- and large-scale emergencies identified includes high magnitude earthquakes, long-duration severe weather slow-onset economic and financial crisis, epidemics and instability in neighbouring countries (e.g. Afghanistan), resulting in refugee influx to the country. The WASH cluster contingency includes three disasters scenarios based on the inter-agency

Contingency Plan updated in 2013 that could occur in Tajikistan and require concerted action from the international humanitarian community. A flash flood/mudflow hitting several rural communities with about 20,000 inhabitants and a devastating earthquake were deemed as two risks with the highest seriousness (impact multiplied by likelihood) for Tajikistan. The scenarios describe the scope and features of the disasters, such as number of people affected, areas most likely to be affected and amount of damage. Each scenario outlines the response objective, priority needs and response strategies. Finally, the scenarios outline potential constraints and existing gaps for effective and efficient response. The contingency plan captures the overall management and coordination mechanisms for disaster preparedness and response. The plan briefly describes the primary role of the Government of Tajikistan in responding to disasters and the mechanism for overall coordination through the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence. Furthermore, the plan outlines the mechanisms for humanitarian assistance in Tajikistan, including REACT and established sector coordination groups for small-medium scale

1 Sphere handbook, WASH minimal standards

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disasters. Standing arrangements for large-scale emergencies describe key roles and responsibilities of the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator, Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and the Cluster Lead Agencies, as well as introduction of the global cluster approach during a large-scale emergency. Finally, the plan sets priority preparedness actions, including the terms and responsibilities for updating the WASH cluster/sector specific plans and other follow-up actions.

B. Overview of WASH Situation in Tajikistan Tajikistan has recognized a right to water in its constitution and is one of the 5th most water-rich countries in the world, with 5 largest rivers occupying 75 percent of the country. Glacier melting comprises up to 25 percent of surface water resources and in dry years glacier melt can represent 50 percent of the flow in the 5 major rivers. There are 1,300 lakes in Tajikistan with a total area of 705 km2 but most of them are situated in the Pamir-Alay Mountains at an elevation of 3500-5000m above sea level and 9 operational dams with a total stored volume of 15.3 km3. In spite of its rich water resources, the country has the worst access to safe drinking water in Central Asia. Only 59 percent of its 7 million people2 is said to have access to safe drinking water. More than 20 percent of the population relies on irrigation canals as their main source of drinking water. The rest of the population consumes water from different sources (water springs, wells with manual pumps, irrigation ditches, canals, rainwater harvesting, etc.) that usually lack control over sanitary-hygienic standards. Despite the adoption of the national Law “On drinking water and water supply” in December 2010, the Human Rights based Approach to water is not practiced in Tajikistan and the process of water governance institutional and policy reform remains very low And that no discussion has focused on the practical implications of recognizing a right to water from the perspective of the State, which is responsible for implementing the right. Safe water supply coverage levels are low and possibly getting lower, especially in rural areas. 94 percent of urban residents are provided with drinking water. 75 percent of Tajikistan’s population resides in rural areas3, with 40 percent of the population not having access to safe drinking water and with only 3 percent having access to sewage systems. 47 percent of rural toilets are not safe in terms of sanitary and hygiene norms. Despite their significant number (98.6 percent), the access to adequate sanitary facilities is quite limited4. This rural coverage rate is far lower than the rates in neighbouring Central Asian countries, and a full 15 percent lower than the developing country average. Diarrhoea prevalence rates are high, and diarrhoea disease contributes to over 19 percent of under-five child mortality, second only to pneumonia (a much higher level than the developing country average). Sanitation coverage levels are higher than water (95 percent urban, 94 percent rural), but the vast majority of rural households – 85 percent – rely on simple pit latrines. Disaster Situation analysis Tajikistan is a mountainous country and highly prone to natural disasters as it is located along a seismic rift zone. The country is extremely vulnerable and often suffers from recurrent natural hazards like floods, earthquakes, mudflows and landslides. According to the Tajik Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CoES), between 1997 and 2012, approximately 190 natural disasters occurred each year. These disasters resulted in

2 UNDP Tajikistan: Applying Human Right Based Approach to Water, Governance in Tajikistan, report

April 2013 3 Amendments to the WB’ Assessment on Poverty, 2005 год, page 2 4 Booklet of the Project “Water Supply and Sanitation in Tajikistan

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significant damage to the livelihoods and the economy, as well as act as a break on developmental outcomes. Further, the physical infrastructure (e.g., roads, power lines, water systems) needed to sustain livelihoods in Tajikistan are under constant threat from the natural disasters. Many communities are also located in remote areas, creating challenges in disaster relief efforts5. Disasters destroying such social infrastructure as schools, medical centres and water and sanitation facilities limit children’s access to essential services. Lack of safe water and poor sanitation can cause serious disease problems which may lead to infectious disease outbreaks, especially among children. Following disasters, water supply systems and sanitation facilities are destroyed. Water sources are contaminated and unhygienic conditions created among affected communities. Thus, Safe water resources are affected by both anthropomorphic and natural sources of contamination, and climate change further threatens the reliability of existing water supplies. Hence, secure access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation is vital for the dignity and health of all people especially during emergency situations.

C. Hazards and risks analysis The main natural hazards affecting Tajikistan are of two categories: geophysical hazards, a function of the geological make-up, and meteorological hazards, which are the result of weather conditions. Geophysical hazards include natural hazards where the principal causal agent is geological and geomorphological (e.g. landslides and earthquakes). Examples of meteorological hazards include flooding and mudslides (the latter could also be geophysical). The most frequent natural hazards occurring in Tajikistan are avalanches (996 events over the period 1997-2012) and mudflows (908 events), followed by small-scale earthquakes (441 events), landslides and rock falls (223 events) and flash floods (177 events). These natural hazards typically happen several times a year and their impact is local, affecting a few households, communities, villages and occasionally a larger part of a district. Many of these disasters are linked to spring thaw and precipitation and therefore occur mostly between April and June. Minor events also comprise rock falls, hail, wind, heavy snowfall, and high ground water. In any given year, an average of 1,500 families (i.e. 7,500 people) is affected by such small- to medium-scale events. Though the loss of human lives is usually relatively small, the damage to infrastructure, family assets and livelihoods can be significant. A severe earthquake hitting capital Dushanbe or another major urban centre is a permanent threat. With few residential and public buildings being resistant to high intensity earthquakes, a high magnitude earthquake would result in the devastating destruction in the city. Based on research and observations, seismologists warn that a major earthquake is overdue. Long term severe weather, drought or severe cold, occur less frequently but, when they do, have grave consequences for large parts of the population. For instance, an estimated 2 million people were affected by the extreme cold in the first weeks of 2008, while another 800,000 suffered from the consequences of the drought in October of the same year. Matters are further complicated by the impact of severe weather on the country’s hydro-powered energy production and agricultural output, thereby increasing food insecurity and interfering with livelihoods.

5 Tajikistan Disaster Risk Management Programme Document” Phase III (2010 – 2015), UNDP

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Another slow-onset hazard is an economic and financial crisis: over one million Tajiks earn their living abroad, mostly in Russia, and their remittances constitute 45 percent of the country’s income. A dramatic decrease or collapse of this money flow would severely impact livelihoods, access to basic services and food security. Epidemics are one of the most deadly hazards in Tajikistan, with an average of 12 human fatalities per event over the last 11 years. The 2010 polio epidemic took 12 lives, while hundreds more fell ill and remained permanently disabled as a consequence (see IACP Tajikistan 2010). Instability and conflict-related hazards include the current relatively low probability of a spill-over or refugee influx from the potential internal conflicts in neighbouring countries. The risk may increase following the withdrawal of ISAF troops from Afghanistan in 2014. The long-standing disputes with downstream countries of Central Asia’s major rivers, especially Uzbekistan, over the use of water resources constitute another major concern. Presently relatively low risk hazards include dam failure, hazardous industrial and biological waste, uranium tailings, unplanned chemical releases, transport accidents and accidents affecting gas, fuel and heating pipelines or life support systems. Another scenario that needs to be considered for contingency planning purposes, although with totally different effects, is a potential refugee influx from Afghanistan into Tajikistan. The year 2014 marks two important events in Afghanistan: (i) the presidential and provincial council elections in Afghanistan; (ii) the official completion of the transitional period and the withdrawal of international combat troops from Afghanistan, with all of the potential security, economic and political impacts on the population this generates, including further Afghan displacement internally and to neighbouring countries. Both events have the potential for a significant impact on security, economics and access to social services within the country, and thus difficulties arising from these events may cause increased population movements within the country and/or towards neighbouring countries. Current estimates for the situation in post-2014 Afghanistan vary between political tensions, on one extreme, to a high intensity military conflict, on the other.

D. Scenarios and Planning Assumptions

Scenario 1 – Small – Mid Scale Emergency: Flash flood or mudslide Scenario: This scenario is based on the one used in the Inter-Agency Contingency Plan for Tajikistan 2013-14, which is of a small to medium scale emergency consisting of a flash flood or mudslide striking districts. Probability: The probability of the scenario is very high, since these events are frequent every spring in rural districts. Early warning indicators and triggers:

Weather forecast predicts above normal precipitation for two to three consecutive days.

Water levels in rivers are above normal and rising. Above normal snow pack in river Source Mountain ranges combined with high

temperatures in early spring. Humanitarian impact (caseload assumptions):

20,000 people affected (many of them displaced)

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40 deaths, 200 injured 400 houses completely damaged 2,000 houses affected (partially damaged) 14 medical points/centres and 6 schools destroyed/damaged Access to drinking water is hampered. Irrigation channels are damaged. Local power distribution system destroyed, affecting all social aspects and

infrastructure Livelihoods (agricultural lands, livestock and most food and NFI) are destroyed/lost The affected population includes a high proportion of women and children (up to 70

percent) taking into account labour migration rates

Scenario 2 – Large Scale Emergency: Major earthquake Scenario: The present scenario is based on the one used in the Inter-Agency Contingency Plan for Tajikistan 2013-14, which is of a large scale emergency in the form of a high-magnitude earthquake. Probability: The probability of the scenario is from medium to high, since Tajikistan is in an area that is seismologically active. Early warning indicators and triggers:

None. Humanitarian impact (case load assumptions):

About 200,000 people affected, of whom about 70,000 will be children 10,000 deaths, of whom about 3,500 will be children 50,000 injured, of whom about 17,500 will be children Families are separated, and/or lose the head of household Up to 20 percent of water and sanitation facilities destroyed Centralized power, water and heating systems collapse Health system damaged and unable to provide first aid to survivors Dushanbe airport not operational (but Kurgan-tube and Kulob airports continue to

function) Limited communication available No road access to Dushanbe from the North, and at least 50 percent of in-city roads

blocked, hampering the access for rescue teams. Road access from the South could be open

Government/UN/NGOs operations are significantly compromised due to staff losses

Scenario 3 – Refugee Influx Scenario: An influx of 10,000 refugees (of whom approximately 4,500 are children) from Afghanistan into Tajikistan after the withdrawal of international troops in 2014. For the purposes of the scenario, it is envisaged that the influx would take place over a period of four to six weeks. Probability: the probability of the scenario is from medium to high. Early warning indicators and triggers:

Daily 250 / weekly 1,750 Afghans crossing the Tajik border Weekly number of asylum requests Weekly number of security incidents by/against Afghans in Tajikistan

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Humanitarian impact (planning assumptions):

The majority of asylum seekers enter through two of the official border crossings between Afghanistan and Tajikistan in Khatlon (Nijny Panj and Kokool), but porous borders enable asylum seekers to enter Tajikistan at many locations

A formal settlement for asylum seekers is established close to the border, with difficult living conditions6

The MOI’s logistical capacity to register and monitor asylum seekers and refugees is under severe strain

Due to lack of necessary stockpiles of tents and prefabricated shelter materials, provision of shelter constitutes a serious problem

Access to drinking water, health care, education and other social services is hampered

Outbreak of diseases may occur in any settlement of asylum seekers Ethnic tensions are present Afghan refugees develop negative coping strategies (such as burglary, begging, power

abuse and child exploitation/labour)

E. WASH in emergencies The right to water and sanitation is inextricably related to other human rights, including the right to health, the right to housing and the right to adequate food. As such, it is part of the guarantees essential for human survival. States and non-state actors have responsibilities in fulfilling the right to water and sanitation. In times of armed conflict, for example, it is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless drinking water installations or irrigation works7. Water and sanitation are critical determinants for survival in the initial stages of a disaster. People affected by disasters are generally much more susceptible to illness and death from disease, which to a large extent are related to inadequate sanitation, inadequate water supplies and inability to maintain good hygiene. The most significant of these diseases are diarrhoeal and infectious diseases transmitted by the faeco-oral route. Other water- and sanitation-related diseases include those carried by vectors associated with solid waste and water.

F. Objectives of Emergency WASH Response The overall objective of the implementing emergency WASH is to ensure access of WASH lifesaving humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable displaced communities thereby control and prevent of outbreak of water borne disease, such as cholera, measles and other diarrheal diseases caused by flooding and landslide The specific objectives are:

Access to safe water, hygiene education, ORS, Zinc, handwashing facilities with soap, temporary/semi-permanent sanitation facilities, bathing facility, solid and liquid

6 Currently the Government of Tajikistan does not have the capacity and a suitable site to house 10,000

asylum seekers who would enter the country over a period of four to six weeks. The most likely

development would be setting up a formal but temporary refugee settlement, or camp, to provide shelter and

other essential services. 7 Sphere handbook

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waste facilities have been ensured for the affected population, particularly the vulnerable (women, children, disabled, with HIV/AIDS).

Ensure that populations affected by disasters as listed above and outbreak of diseases (especially cholera) are properly equipped with knowledge and informed on improved hygiene behavior practices related to WASH in the context of the emergency.

G. Key definitions for Emergency WASH sector Response Safe and Adequate Water The basic amount of water required to meet the basic needs (drinking, cooking, personal and domestic hygienic requirements) that are sufficiently safe in terms of quantity accessibility, reliability and quality. The provision of safe water also takes into account the process around abstraction, treatment, storage, transmission and distribution, as well as storage in the households. Water access in normal situation has been considered as 45 liter per person per day with walking distance 15 min (back and fore including collection period). In case of disaster, it is proposed to ensure 15 lit per person per day in a gradual basis, starting from 5 liter/person/day in the first week (Ref: SPHERE WASH minimum standards). Sanitation It is defined as the safe management of human excreta, which includes hardware (latrines etc.) and software (hygiene and public health promotion and information) needed to reduce faecal-oral disease transmission. Safe disposal of human excreta creates the first barrier to excreta-related disease, helping to reduce transmission through direct and indirect routes. For the purpose of humanitarian response following the major flooding, it is proposed to ensure 1 latrine for 50 people for the 15- 30 days and 1:20 following days. Hygiene promotion Hygiene promotion is defined as the mix between the population's knowledge, practice and resources and agency knowledge and resources, which together enable risky hygiene behaviours to be avoided. The three key factors are 1) a mutual sharing of information and knowledge, 2) the mobilisation of communities and 3) the provision of essential supplies/materials and facilities. Drainage Surface water in or near emergency settlements may come from household and water point wastewater, leaking toilets and sewers, rainwater or rising floodwater. The main health risks associated with surface water are contamination of water supplies and the living environment, damage to toilets and dwellings, vector breeding and drowning. Waste Management The proper disposal and management of organic solid waste so as to reduce major public health risks such as fly and rat breeding and surface water pollution. This would take into account of the entire system from household disposal to collection and disposal within a larger refuse system.

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H. Humanitarian Cluster Approach in Tajikistan

Tajikistan Disaster Response Frameworks The Government of Tajikistan is committed to the rapid response to disasters and recognizes the presence of hazards and risks in the country. As a result, the government has set up a national disaster risk management coordinating structure: Commission on Emergency Situations consisting of line ministries and agencies and led by the Head of the Government. To ensure coverage and community engagement, this structure is replicated at the Provincial, District and Jamoat levels. The Government has also established an extensive set of laws, regulations and decrees that cover disaster management with duties and responsibilities delegated to different levels of government offices. In addition, there is also a Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CoES)8, which is charged with development and implementation of disaster management legislation, covering coordination of disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery. In 2001 the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) established the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT) – a partnership on disaster management in Tajikistan 9 . REACT is composed of the Government of Tajikistan (represented by CoES), donors, United Nations and other international organizations, as well as local and international NGOs involved in disaster early warning, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It was intended to serve as the coordinating structure for international disaster response in Tajikistan. The REACT coordinates humanitarian assistance during small and medium-scale (natural) disasters in Tajikistan. Based on its mandate, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) supports coordination among humanitarian partners and Government counterparts in emergency situations. As a part of the efforts aimed at increasing the emergency response capacity in Tajikistan, OCHA facilitated establishment of the Crisis Communication Group in Tajikistan, which includes communication specialists, emergency focal points from key UN agencies, RCST/IFRC and several international NGOs. Currently, OCHA assists REACT by delivering additional coordination support to emergency and disaster relief providers.

Tajikistan Disaster Response Mechanism The Government of Tajikistan assumes the first responsibility for responding to disasters in the country, with the international community playing a supporting role. International humanitarian assistance to small and medium-scale emergencies in Tajikistan is provided through the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team - REACT. The structure is composed of the Government of Tajikistan (represented by CoES and other governmental agencies), donors, the United Nations and other international organizations, as well as local and international NGOs involved in disaster early warning, mitigation and risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery. REACT is co-chaired by the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence of the Government of Tajikistan at the national level together with the UN Resident Coordinator as Co-chair, and by the Committee of Emergency Situations at sub-national level. REACT operates through sector coordination groups and regionally based REACTs.

8 Former Ministry of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence 9 Rapid Emergency Assessment & Coordination Team Statement of common understanding, Dec 2013,

Tajikistan

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The sector coordination groups are supposed to coordinate relevant response and preparedness activities within their sectors. REACT members recognize the need to integrate the Cluster Approach (as endorsed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee) into REACT operations before and during disasters. When the Cluster Approach is activated in Tajikistan, the Sector Coordination Groups are “Clusters” for the purposes of the Cluster Approach10. A large-scale emergency requiring the assistance of the wider international community would trigger the appointment of a Humanitarian Coordinator and the active involvement of UNOCHA in coordinating the emergency response. Under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator, the international humanitarian community in Tajikistan would create a Humanitarian Country Team11 (HCT). HTC would comprise the heads of the UN resident member agencies with a humanitarian mandate and representatives of the local and international NGO community and the Cluster approach would be activated. With the activation of the cluster approach, agencies in-country (and when applicable from the relevant regional delegations) will assume the cluster lead responsibilities12 accepted in the framework of the humanitarian response review arrangement. These responsibilities are to:

Ensure that adequate preparedness measures are taken prior to the crisis; Assume the leadership role in coordination arrangements during the response to the

crisis; Ensure that gaps in the response are properly identified and addressed; Act as provider of last resource in case no other partner has the capacity to address

the identified gaps;

Cluster and Area of Responsibility

Global Cluster Leads Sector Lead in Tajikistan

Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCM)

IOM/UNHCR Not operational

Early Recovery UNDP Not operational

Education UNICEF UNICEF13

Emergency Shelter UNHCR – conflicts IFRC – natural disasters

IFRC/RCST (only for emergency response); transition and recovery not designated

Emergency Telecommunications

WFP (OCHA) Not operational

Food Security FAO/WFP WFP

Health WHO WHO

10 Please, see Annex 1. REACT SOPs for emergency response, Annex 2. Sector Response Plans and Annex 3. REACT

SOPs for Disaster Assessments for more information on standing arrangements for small-medium scale disasters (Scenario 1). 11

For Terms of Reference for Humanitarian Country Team, please, see Annex 6. 12

For WASH cluster coordination and responsibility, see organogram below. 13

UNICEF and Save the Children in Tajikistan assume sector leadership on an annual rotation basis

(UNICEF has been cluster lead in 2013 and 2014)

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Logistics WFP Not activated

Nutrition UNICEF WFP (included in Food Security Cluster)

Protection UNHCR (UNOHCHR/UNICEF)

Not activated

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

UNICEF UNICEF

The cluster approach for instance the WASH cluster takes the lead in carrying out contingency planning exercises for major new emergencies which involve multi-sectoral responses with the participation of a wide range of international humanitarian actors. The contingency planning is often done in consultation and closely with national/local authorities as appropriate, building on local capacities. The cluster will ensure that relevant international actors at the country and regional level, as well as with global cluster.

I. Inter-Cluster Arrangements The following cluster linkages will be important to consider in the emergency, if and when the cluster system is activated. Linkages should be ensured by the cluster lead (UNICEF), but all WASH cluster members should be encouraged to coordinate with other concerned clusters as well:

Health and Nutrition Cluster Significant commonalities exist, particularly with Hygiene. WASH and Health/nutrition and therefore must work closely together to avoid disease outbreaks. A Health cluster meeting and a representative from WASH cluster should regularly attend the meeting. Similarly, one WASH cluster should advocate ensuring participation of Health/nutrition cluster members in its meeting as well. Health cluster will be responsible for disease surveillance for displaced or disaster affected, and there should be sharing of information on outbreaks related to diarrheal disease/cholera and other water and sanitation related diseases. Health cluster will be responsible for vector control, and WASH would be responsible for some mitigation (i.e. drainage and waste management).

Education Once facilities are being built, WASH cluster will meet with Education cluster partners to determine arrangements for proper use, operation and maintenance of WASH facilities in Schools i.e. through school management committees. The WASH cluster will coordinate on training teachers and school children to ensure that responsibilities for general maintenance are assigned entirely to schools. In both emergency and reconstruction/rehabilitation/recovery phases, WASH and Education clusters should ensure that all water/ sanitation systems and educational facilities are appropriate to local culture, are appropriate for all users (e.g. children, disabled students and staff), are safe (located in secure areas, well-lit at night etc.), and provide separate facilities for male and female students, and male and female staffs.

Shelter WASH cluster will need to work closely with Shelter (and district government authorities) to identify the suitable temporary sites to house those that are displaced, and in the long term identify needs for durable solutions. At the assessment phase, WASH and Shelter cluster will

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need to work closely together on site design/layout for new shelters and as well as for systematically installation of WASH facilities in the disaster affected communities.

Protection The protection cluster is involved in some cases in distribution of hygiene items. They additionally have a monitoring function in the affected villages to ascertain whether needs of women & vulnerable groups are being addressed. WASH Cluster leads could potentially coordinate with Protection to ensure that WASH is addressing needs of vulnerable groups, children, disable and HIV/AIDs affected people.

Logistics WASH will work with the Logistics cluster for the transport and supply of relief items as well as to facilitate the supply of fuel which will be necessary for tinkering of water as well as generator sets if required.

Information Management and Communication Until other arrangements can be made, UNICEF, as lead agency, will be the focal point for the collection and dissemination of sector information to all humanitarian aid partners and will undertake this in close collaboration with the government counterparts. All partners will feed information to UNICEF and UNICEF will disseminate the collated information to all partners. Standard WASH rapid assessments form (Annex v) will be used by all partners to collect information. All information collected by UNICEF and WASH sector partners will be fed to Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator through the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and or REACT for consolidation with information from other clusters. WASH cluster will define regular meeting schedule depending on the nature and extend of the disaster and all cluster members team will be formed to observe and provide regular feedback on ongoing humanitarian response and improvement will have to be made as required. Regular communication and information sharing mechanism will be established with government authority and coordinating body (REACT) and WASH cluster partners will attend REACT meeting as invitee to report progress made in their respected assigned areas and components.

J. WASH Cluster Principles The WASH Cluster is an interagency coordination mechanism that aims to respond to and mitigate the impact of emergencies on the sector. Humanitarian action under the WASH cluster is based on the principle of coherent and coordinated action in carrying out in a timely and consistent response to the humanitarian consequences of major disaster (earth quake, flooding and landslides etc) in order to minimize the adverse effects on the population. The effects of disaster may reduce access to basic right of access to food, nutrition, education, health services, safe housing, protection, drinking water and sanitation. The WASH cluster will function under the principle of a collective and coordinated approach, recognizing and drawing upon the strengths of different agencies, actively seeking to identify

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gaps and weaknesses and agreeing on actions to address these, being mutually accountable, supporting Government and civil society in their response and ensuring needs (including dignity and safety) of women, children (girls, boys), men, disabled and most disadvantaged are adequately addressed.

K. WASH Cluster Strategies

Maintain a strong working relationship with sector, NGOs, ministry and local government service delivery institutions.

Support government to provide safe and adequate supply of water, hygiene and

sanitation facilities to disaster affected population during response and recovery phases of the emergencies.

Local capacity building to support distribution of hygiene supplies and disseminate

hygiene information, particularly hand washing and household water treatment.

Use of local radio and other means of communication to disseminate WASH related information.

Establish operational relationship with other clusters, government response

institutions and civil society organizations to deliver lifesaving humanitarian services to the disaster affected and displaced population.

Encourage and facilitate local and international agencies and humanitarian partners

to maintain minimum WASH supplies in the disaster prone regions and maintain interface between government coordination system and other humanitarian agencies in the WASH cluster and obtain latest update of prepositioned supplies.

Long Term Agreement (LTA) with supply transport companies including airport

transport and perhaps may require support from the Logistics Cluster to transport some relief items.

Surveillance and monitoring of identified needs and gaps.

Initiate, strengthened and ensure mobilization of human resources (surge) at country

level.

L. Constraints to a potential emergency WASH response

General constraints As already identified in Tajikistan Inter-Agency Contingency Plan 2013-2014, there are a number of constraints to emergency response in two scenarios; these are as well applicable to emergency WASH response:

Scenario 1: A flash flood/mudflow hitting rural districts

Response capacity of the Government is not clearly determined or communicated (e.g. existing stocks/reserves)

Limited resources (financial, human, material, prepositioned supplies) available by REACT members for effective response to disasters of such scale

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Access to the affected populations is likely to be difficult in the immediate aftermath of the disaster

Limited communication with the field and lack of information during first hours/days following the disaster

Tajikistan Monitoring and Warning System and response mechanisms do not include Standard Operating Procedures determining actions and responsibilities when thresholds are reached. Thresholds need to be quantified.

Limited number of psychosocial service providers in place for immediate coverage of affected population

Restrictions imposed by the national security forces in control of the work / operational area. Unavailability / shortage of communications means. Movement restrictions imposed by local Authorities.

Scenario 2: Earthquake

Domestic search and rescue capacity is very limited. Government’s, UN Agencies’ and NGOs’ emergency capacity hampered due to staff losses.

No clear information about existing emergency supplies (stocks) in the country (both in relation to the Government’s stocks and stocks of REACT partners)

Government and REACT partners’ capacity to respond to a disaster of such scale is largely insufficient.

Potential legal problems for international rescue and humanitarian teams entering the country14

Tense political relations with neighbouring countries hamper access to Tajikistan by land

Aftershocks may further impede search and rescue and relief operations Limited number of psycho-social service providers in place for immediate coverage

of affected population. Lack of sufficient information on the likely scenario and estimation of the probable

impact Lack of funds for pre-stocking the contingency WASH supplies Warehousing capacity and associated costs Uncertainty among cluster member agencies about their future involvement in

disaster response due to lack of resources Lack of dedicated Government line department with full WASH mandate to take

leadership role in the coordination of WASH response in the provinces and districts

Scenario 3 – Refugee Influx

Fragile legal system, coupled with stringent restrictions on the movement and

residence of refugees, which bars all refugees and asylum seekers who arrived after the year 2000 from living in the main cities of Tajikistan including the capital Dushanbe.

The limited attention by State to regard refugee issue as a national high priority.

Uncertainty among cluster member agencies about their future involvement in emergency response due to lack of resources.

14 Although Tajikistan has ratified several bilateral and regional agreements concerning the provision of

cross-border assistance, there are no clear operational rules for incoming international assistance .

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M. Emergency WASH Supplies and logistics Preparedness for emergencies includes pre-positioning of essential relief supplies and equipment in Tajikistan and in regional logistical hubs. UNICEF also has some WASH stockpiles in Tajikistan, which include hygiene-related items, as well as other water and sanitation equipment.15 Annex (iii) to this contingency plan is list of WASH stock piles that has been mapped. However, before and during major emergencies, the WASH Cluster members will work to mobilise additional WASH supplies to fill in the gap, in close coordination with the Logistics Cluster. Concerning supplies and logistics for WASH during an emergency, the responding governmental entities, international organizations and civil society agencies will:

Prepare and stockpile necessary supplies and equipment for rapid resumption of WASH service deliveries.

Create a common inventory of stockpiles including UN agency and NGO stores, share it with the Government and update it on a periodical basis;

In a coordinated manner enter into framework agreements with Tajikistan-based suppliers for rapid delivery and distribution of WASH supplies and materials;

In a coordinated manner enter into arrangements for rapid delivery and distribution of materials from outside Tajikistan, in case initial multi-sectoral rapid assessments would indicate the need;

Ensure that each agency has established transparent and accountable supply and logistics procedures, covering all aspects of the supplies and logistics cycle:

N. WASH Advocacy and communication In emergencies, a coordinated advocacy and communication strategy is essential to ensure the passage of clear messages to various audiences in an efficient and effective way. Core advocacy objectives are for education to be seen as an essential component of an emergency response and its needs funded accordingly. In planning for successful advocacy, the WASH Cluster must:

Determine its joint advocacy goals; Identify targets, messengers and opportunities; Decide on delivery methods; Craft the messages; Put the plan into action; Identify resources and gaps; and

The WASH Cluster lead (UNICEF) will share this Contingency Plan with REACT and all concerned government ministries and humanitarian actors in Tajikistan. Concerning communication about WASH during emergencies, responding governmental entities, international organizations and civil society agencies will:

Decide upon communication policies together; Update authorities and communities on relevant findings; Use plain and direct language to ensure that the key messages are clear; Always determine if a publication, article or press release is in the best interest of

children; Ensure that in case of publication of photos or personal stories, the parents or

primary caretakers have signed a release form in a language they understand;

15

For more information please see Annex 4.

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Make sure that all publications take into account local sensitivities; Not publish stories that might contribute to the stigmatization or exclusion of

children; and Not offer money or aid to families for published photos and stories.

O. WASH Financial resource mobilization

As it has the authority to lead the response to an emergency situation, the Government of Tajikistan will contribute funds and material to any emergency response. It is expected that the Government will use resources from the State Budget as part of any such response and will make use of stockpiled items held by CoES and other governmental entities. International organizations and civil society will support the Government’s emergency response. Agencies working will be responsible for generating their own financial resources to initiate WASH activities in response to an emergency in Tajikistan. In a major emergency, those activities will be coordinated through the WASH Cluster, under the overall leadership of the government. In large-scale emergencies, the WASH Cluster must participate in and ensure that WASH needs are reflected in two important processes, which are means of identifying and prioritising humanitarian needs: 1. Flash Appeals are a tool for structuring a coordinated humanitarian response during the first three to six months of an emergency. They are usually issued within the first one or two weeks of an emergency and undergo a revision process after approximately one month. They are based on initial rapid assessments and focus on urgent humanitarian needs and are used most often but not exclusively in sudden-onset emergencies. 2. A Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) is a tool used by aid organisations to plan, coordinate, fund, implement and monitor large-scale, sustained humanitarian action in a given country or region. It responds to the needs identified in the annual Common Humanitarian Action Plan and has a 12-month time span. It is used most often but not exclusively for conflict-related emergencies. OCHA’s Financial Tracking System (FTS) tracks many contributions of donors to the fulfilment of the Flash Appeals and CAPs.16 3. In major emergencies, the main humanitarian funding mechanisms are the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF), and Emergency Response Funds (ERF). These are typically allocated by the RC/HC based on advice from the HCT, or by in-country committees. It is important for WASH sector partner agencies to understand the criteria (and often the in-country priorities) so that proposed projects can aim to incorporate aspects that will be supported. Although given the limited nature of funding available through these mechanisms, only a fraction of projects that meet the criteria will receive funding, it is certain that projects that do not meet the criteria will not be funded. The CERF covers initial funding for most urgent life-saving projects in the appeals but also for under-funded emergencies. Life-saving criteria and time-critical response are crucial in order to trigger CERF funding by the RC/HC.17 The ERF addresses gaps in the CAP and

16 See http://fts.unocha.org/pageloader.aspx?page=home. 17 CERF’s revised life-saving guidelines, including guidance on what type education interventions can be funded by CERF, can be found at http://ochaonline.un.org/default.aspx?alias=ochaonline.un.org/cerf.

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enables scale-up of response and recovery interventions. Through the CHF multiple donors provide early, strategic and predictable funding to priority needs identified in the CAP.18

18 For further details see the Education Cluster Coordinator Handbook, pp. 257-269 http://education.humanitarianresponse.info/document/education-cluster-coordinator-handbook and the INEE Reference Guide on External Education Financing, pp. 52-57 http://toolkit.ineesite.org/toolkit/Toolkit.php?PostID=1003.

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Annexes

1. WASH Cluster Contingency Plan Activities

2. National WASH sector/ Cluster key Contacts

3. WASH Cluster 4W Matrix

4. WASH Cluster contingency stockpiles

5. WES and Health Rapid Assessment Check List

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6. Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene initial needs assessment checklist19 This list of questions is primarily for use to assess needs, identify indigenous resources and describe local conditions. It does not include questions to determine external resources needed in addition to those immediately and locally available. General a) How many people are affected and where are they? Disaggregate the data as far as

possible by sex, age, disability etc. b) What are people’s likely movements? What are the security factors for the affected

population and for potential relief responses? c) What are the current/prevalent or possible water- and sanitation-related diseases? What

is the likely extent and expected evolution of problems? d) Who are the key people to consult or contact? e) Who are the vulnerable people in the population and why? f) Is there equal access for all to existing facilities including at public places, health centres

and schools? g) What special security risks exist for women, girls and vulnerable groups? h) What water and sanitation practices were the population accustomed to before the

emergency? i) What are the formal and informal power structures (e.g. community leaders, elders,

women’s groups)? j) How are decisions made in family and the community? Hygiene promotion a) What water and sanitation practices were the population accustomed to before the

emergency? b) What practices are harmful to health, who practices these and why? c) Who still practices positive hygiene behaviour and what enables and motivates them to

do this? d) What are the advantages and disadvantages of any proposed changes in practice? e) What are the existing formal and informal channels of communication and outreach

(Community Health Workers (CHWs) Traditional Birth Attendants, (TBAs,) clubs, co-operatives, churches, mosques, traditional healers etc.)?

f) What access to mass media is there in the area (radio, TV, video, newspapers etc.)? g) What local media organisations and/or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are

there? h) What segments of the population need to be targeted (mothers, children, community

leaders, community kitchen workers etc)? i) What type of outreach system would work in this context (volunteers, health clubs,

committees, etc.?) both for immediate and medium term mobilization? j) What are the learning needs of hygiene promotion staff and volunteers? k) What NFIs are available and what are the most urgent based on preferences and needs? l) How effective are hygiene practices in health facilities (particularly important in

epidemic situations)? Water supply a) What is the current water supply source and who are the present users? b) How much water is available per person per day? c) What is the daily/weekly frequency of the water supply availability?

19 Sphere handbook

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d) Is the water available at the source sufficient for short-term and longer-term needs for all groups in the population?

e) Are water collections points close enough to where people live? Are they safe? f) Is the current water supply reliable? How long will it last? g) Do people have enough water containers of the appropriate size and type? h) Is the water source contaminated or at risk of contamination (microbiological or

chemical/radiological)? i) Is there water treatment system in place? Is treatment necessary? Is treatment possible?

What treatment is necessary? j) Is disinfection necessary, even if the supply is not contaminated? k) Are there alternative sources of water nearby? l) What traditional beliefs and practices relate to the collection, storage and use of water? m) Are there any obstacles to using available water supply sources n) Is it possible to move the population if water sources are inadequate? o) Is it possible to tanker water if water sources are inadequate? p) What are the key hygiene issues related to water supply? q) Do people have the means to use water hygienically? r) In the event of rural displacement emergency, what is the usual source of water for

livestock? s) Will there be any environmental effects due to possible water supply intervention,

abstraction and use of water sources? t) What other users are currently using the water sources? Is there a risk of conflict if the

sources are utilised for the new populations?' Excreta disposal a) What is the current defecation practice? If it is open defecation, is there a designated

area? Is the area secure? b) What are current beliefs and practices, including gender-specific practices, concerning

excreta disposal? c) Are there any existing facilities? If so, are they used, are they sufficient, and are they

operating successfully? Can they be extended or adapted? d) Is the current defecation practice a threat to water supplies (surface or groundwater) or

living areas and to the environment in general? e) Do people wash their hands after defecation and before food preparation and eating? Are

soaps or other cleansing materials available? f) Are people familiar with the construction and use of toilets? g) What local materials are available for constructing toilets? h) Are people prepared to use pit latrines, defecation fields, trenches, etc.? i) Is there sufficient space for defecation fields, pit latrines, toilets, etc.? j) What is the slope of the terrain? k) What is the level of the groundwater table? l) Are soil conditions suitable for on-site excreta disposal? m) Do current excreta disposal arrangements encourage vectors? n) Are there materials or water available for anal cleansing? How do people normally

dispose of these materials? o) How do women manage issues related to menstruation? Are there appropriate materials

or facilities available for this? p) Are there any specific facilities or equipment available for making sanitation accessible

for disabled people or people immobile in medical facilities? q) What environmental consideration should be assessed? Vector-borne diseases a) What are the vector-borne disease risks and how serious are these risks?

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b) Are there traditional beliefs and practices (for example, the belief that malaria is caused by dirty water) that relate to vectors and vector-borne disease? Are any of these beliefs or practices either useful or harmful?

c) If vector-borne disease risks are high, do people at risk have access to individual protection?

d) Is it possible to make changes to the local environment (by drainage, scrub clearance, excreta disposal, refuse disposal, etc.) to discourage vector breeding?

e) Is it necessary to control vectors by chemical means? What programmes, regulations and resources exist for vector control and the use of chemicals?

f) What information and safety precautions need to be provided to households?

Solid waste disposal a) Is accumulated solid waste a problem? b) How do people dispose of their waste? What type and quantity of solid waste is

produced c) Can solid waste be disposed of on-site, or does it need to be collected and disposed of off-

site? d) What is the normal practice of solid waste disposal for the affected population (compost

and/or refuse pits, collection system, bins, etc.)? e) Are there medical facilities and activities producing waste? How is this being disposed

of? Who is responsible? f) Where are menstrual pads being disposed of and is their disposal discrete and effective? g) What is the effect of the current solid waste disposal on the environment?

Drainage a) Is there a drainage problem e.g. flooding of dwellings or toilets, vector breeding sites,

polluted water contaminating living areas or water supplies? b) Is the soil prone to water logging? c) Do people have the means to protect their dwellings and toilets from local flooding? d) Are water points and bathing areas well drained?