Programming Tool 1

‘Good Enough’ WASH in Emergencies Conflict Sensitivity Tool

Purpose

This Tool complements the Programming Guide ‘The ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of conflict-sensitive WASH’. It can support the integration of a conflict-sensitive lens to WASH in emergency (WiE) programming, when time constraints and programming modalities make it difficult to carry out a comprehensive analysis and conflict-sensitive programme design/adaptation process. The tool can also be adapted to guide a ‘light touch’ approach to integrate conflict sensitivity in any intervention when relevant.

Key Steps

Step 1

Carry out a localized WASH-related conflict scan (and any other integrated sector; call it ‘community-based context assessment’ if ‘conflict’ language is problematic) – integrate in existing/upcoming emergency assessments; find appropriate ‘language’/‘actors’ to engage and use this process to gauge the appetite for conflict-sensitive/peacebuilding approaches

Step 2

Identify relevant ‘conflict dynamics and interactions to watch’ in consultation with key stakeholders – ensure focus on the two-way interaction (not only the risks to your intervention) and leverage this process to build trust among key stakeholders and with the WASH team/partners

Step 3

Build systematic and ‘evident’ monitoring efforts around these ‘dynamics to watch’ and leverage consultative, accountability,
and/or grievance management mechanisms (e.g. accountability to affected populations) to monitor changes in a transparent and participatory way

Step 4

Build in opportunities to promptly and ‘visibly’ adapt practices/activities in response to Step 2 and capitalize on the moments of change to document your conflict-sensitivity ‘successes/failures’ so you and others can learn from the experience

Step 5

If opportunities exist, consider ‘Doing More Good’ – for example, identify ‘local capacities for peace’ amongst relevant stakeholders that can be harnessed to address WASH-relevant conflict drivers (e.g. ensure equitable access, promote collaborative engagement through water resource/WASH service management)

Step 6

Ensure that the closure and exit of your intervention is conflict sensitive –manage asset handover carefully, ensure transparent and inclusive communication with all relevant stakeholders, ensure relevant agreements about the joint management and sharing of resources/assets are in place, and ensure grievance/feedback mechanisms remain in place beyond UNICEF/IP engagement.

Conflict Sensitivity ‘spot checks’

During programme implementation

What changes have we seen in the peace and conflict dynamics in the past period, and what do we foresee in the next?
What two-way interactions have we seen betweent our WASH intervention and peace and conflict dynamics; what is the impact of these; and what can we foresee in the next period?
What adaptation or mitigation actions have we taken/should we take?

During exit/closure of programmes

How are remaining resources shared or allocated within or across communities?
How is the handover of assets/infrastructure being handled – by whom, who is the custodian?
Is there consensus on the mechanisms that have been put in place for operation and maintenance, and on the corresponding roles and responsibilities? What are the security risks for local staff, partners or community members that have been involved in implementation after the project ends?

Potential Conflict Risks and Mitigation Measures for WiE Programming

Response Element	How it can contribute to conflict	Potential mitigation measures
Targeting and beneficiary selection	During a shift from blanket assistance to targeted interventions. When selection processes are not transparent. When targeting criteria are not well understood by all stakeholders. When targeting criteria overlap with, and reinforce, existing social divisions including gender inequality	Facilitating community participation in determining targeting criteria. Sustained information-sharing with both beneficiaries/ participants and non-beneficiaries/participants on targeting criteria and selection processes. Complaints and feedback mechanisms to identify problems during beneficiary selection. Understand existing social divisions and map them against the proposed criteria.
Control over WASH services	When the implementing agency exercises exclusive control over access/distribution without sufficient understanding of the context. When powerful actors attempt to control access/distributions and divert resources for their own gain. When men control the resources and exclude women from decisions/access. When committee members act in a non-transparent or non-accountable way. When marginalized groups are excluded from access/distribution.	Involve the community, including women and men, in the management of the access/distributions. Set up distribution committees or other participatory mechanisms with an awareness of local power dynamics. Ensure all committees are inclusive and representative of the entire population – including women and men. Balance the power of committees with robust complaints mechanisms. Build committees’ capacity in leadership, management and conflict resolution. Ensure proper protection mechanisms exist during distributions to prevent violence, extortion or discrimination.
Role of local structures	When local government and civil society actors are excluded from the emergency response. When local political interests try to co-opt the aid effort.	Link to existing development programmes to help new emergency staff understand existing local structures. Develop comprehensive humanitarian partnership strategies as part of emergency preparedness. Dedicate time and resources to ensure involvement of local partners during the first phase of response. Be aware of practical barriers (language, meeting locations, gender) that can inadvertently exclude local stakeholders. Advocate with local political actors for the respect of humanitarian principles and the need for independent and impartial humanitarian action.
Inter-agency coordination	When WASH emergency services are not standardized. When certain locations are privileged over others. When aid actors do not have a shared analysis of underlying conflict dynamics in the context.	Ensure conflict sensitivity concepts are familiar to UN cluster lead agencies and OCHA. Support the clusters and advocate with donors at an inter-agency level for the standardization of WASH services, approaches, and geographic distribution. Advocate for the institutionalization of cross-sectoral forums for the analysis of conflict and context issues.

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Programming Tool 1

‘Good Enough’ WASH in Emergencies Conflict Sensitivity Tool

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