FY14 Q4 Quarterly Report: Emergency Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations-IV

The program integrates service provision, governance, and economic development with a focus on accountability. It builds on Mercy Corps' extensive experience in the target area and is based on the installation of efficient and cost-effective infrastructure that best meets the needs of target populations. The program covers a wide range of services, including sanitation construction work, hygiene promotion, and water system maintenance. Mercy Corps continued to provide and maintain water systems in all camps through pumping and treatment systems, gravity water systems, and spring catchments. The construction of the Mungote water system continued throughout the quarter. The program also regularly participates in coordination meetings such as the WASH cluster and the CCCM working group in Goma, and in weekly inter-agency meetings in Kitchanga. The security context in the Kivus has not changed dramatically in 2014, despite efforts to disarm and reduce the number of armed groups in the region. While some armed groups have had their previous strength levels reduced, their presence continues to destabilize the region and present security risks to operational NGOs. The main incidents affecting NGO security were criminal acts, with 74% of all incidents recorded falling into this category. The majority of criminal incidents were armed or unarmed robberies, with 59% of these robberies affecting NGO off-duty national staff members. The program has made significant progress in reaching its targeted beneficiaries, with 240,000 people benefiting from WASH services in IDP camps in North Kivu. The cumulative period reached 220,000 IDPs, with 168,047 IDPs benefiting from WASH services. The program has also made progress in supporting local management structures, increasing the self-sufficiency of camp populations and the likelihood that WASH infrastructure continues to be maintained and used appropriately into the future. The EACAP-IV program is implemented in partnership with International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), which provides security information to humanitarian partners working in North and South Kivu. The program has also established a partnership with the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) working group, which coordinates verification activities in displacement sites in North Kivu. The program's activities are not affected by the conflict, and it continues to provide essential WASH services to IDPs in North Kivu. The program's implementation is ongoing, with the construction of the Mungote water system continuing throughout the quarter. The program also regularly participates in coordination meetings and inter-agency meetings to ensure effective coordination and collaboration with other humanitarian organizations. The program's activities are focused on supporting camp populations of IDPs to transition towards greater autonomy in the management of and provision of services. The program's progress is monitored through regular reporting and evaluation, which provides insights into the program's effectiveness and areas for improvement. The program's activities are also subject to regular review and assessment to ensure that they are aligned with the program's objectives and are meeting the needs of the target population. The program's implementation is ongoing, and it continues to provide essential WASH services to IDPs in North Kivu.