Humanitarian Response for Conflict-Affected Populations in Unity State – SP – Q2 Report

The project aims to provide emergency safe and clean water, adequate sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion activities for vulnerable displaced populations. The project targets 205,630 beneficiaries across four counties: Pariang, Mayom, Abiemnom, and Mayenditi. Water supply infrastructure services have been expanded to address ongoing needs of the communities. A total of 58 boreholes were rehabilitated in Mayendit, Pariang, Mayom, and Abiemnom counties, including one borehole that was fitted with a submersible pump in Gumuriak, Payam center. Water-quality testing was conducted at all rehabilitated hand pumps and surface-water collection points to ensure the water was not contaminated. Aqua tabs were distributed to 11,658 individuals in communities without access to safe water, and 0.2mg/L of residual chlorine was applied to two emergency water points in Bhor and Paboung/Madol payams. Thirty-two Water Management Committees (WMCs) were established and trained across all project locations, and seven hand pump mechanics were identified and trained on maintenance and rehabilitation of boreholes. One water yard was repaired in Mankien, Mayom County. In addition, 28 stances of full household latrines that were of public health concern were decommissioned, and five additional hand-washing stations at five blocks of communal latrines were constructed in Abiemnom. Hygiene promotion activities have also been implemented, with a total of 62 Health and Hygiene Committees (HHCs) established and trained on general personal and environmental hygiene. A total of 43,458 bars of soap have been distributed across all project locations, and four follow-up assessments were conducted to monitor the trained HHCs and provide additional training if needed. Environmental health activities have included the installation of 17 water drainage systems with separate cattle troughs at 17 of the rehabilitated boreholes in Pariang, and the excavation of one refuse pit (400m3) for solid waste management in Pariang Town. The nutrition intervention has also been expanded, with a total of 1,788 beneficiaries reached to date. In Aliiny and Werthen payams, 1,259 children under five (U5) were screened for acute malnutrition at the community level through the monthly screening sessions. A total of 0.827 MT of supplementary Plumpy'Sup was distributed, and 376 individuals were admitted to Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) facilities and treated for the prevention of malnutrition. Community-level trainings were conducted to build and strengthen local capacity and coping mechanisms, with a total of 803 people receiving Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) behavior changing messaging. The project has faced challenges due to the ongoing conflict in Unity State, which has resulted in large-scale displacement of populations and the evacuation of hundreds of NGO and UN personnel. Samaritan's Purse has temporarily removed its relocatable staff and suspended all activities in the Mayendit area. The security situation remains hostile, and it is uncertain when SP staff will be able to return to the project site and complete activities during the final months of the award.