Emergency WASH Response Program for Violence-Affected Communities (Palestine)

Deadline: 03-May-2026

UNICEF has launched a Call for Expression of Interest to implement urgent Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) emergency interventions in the West Bank amid escalating violence and displacement. The programme focuses on restoring water systems, improving sanitation, distributing hygiene kits, and ensuring WASH services in schools and healthcare facilities. With a budget of USD 3 million, it targets vulnerable populations affected by ongoing humanitarian crisis conditions.

Overview of the Initiative

This is an emergency humanitarian WASH response programme led by UNICEF in the West Bank.

The initiative addresses urgent needs caused by:

• Escalating violence and armed conflict
• Mass displacement of communities
• Destruction of civilian infrastructure
• Restricted movement and access to services
• Damage to water and sanitation systems

The programme is implemented through national or local NGO partners under UNICEF coordination.

Humanitarian Context and Crisis Situation

The West Bank is experiencing a severe and escalating humanitarian crisis.

Key drivers include:

• Increased violence since October 2023
• Military operations affecting civilian areas
• Destruction of WASH infrastructure
• Settler-related incidents
• Movement restrictions across governorates

Highly affected areas include:

• Jenin
• Tulkarem
• Nur Shams refugee camp
• Hebron
• Ramallah
• Nablus
• Jerusalem
• Area C regions

Impact on Communities

The crisis has led to:

• Large-scale displacement of families
• Loss of access to safe drinking water
• Breakdown of sanitation services
• Increased risk of waterborne disease outbreaks
• Disruption of school and health services

Purpose of the Programme

The initiative aims to deliver life-saving WASH services and restore basic infrastructure.

Core Goals

• Restore damaged water supply systems
• Provide emergency water access
• Improve sanitation and hygiene conditions
• Prevent disease outbreaks
• Support displaced and high-risk populations
• Strengthen essential services in public institutions

Key Focus Areas

The programme includes integrated emergency WASH interventions.

1. Water Supply Interventions

• Rehabilitation of damaged water networks
• Emergency water trucking services
• Installation of temporary water storage systems
• Ensuring continuous access to safe drinking water

2. Sanitation Services

• Repair and restoration of sanitation infrastructure
• Deployment of temporary sanitation solutions
• Household waste management support
• Prevention of environmental contamination

3. Hygiene Promotion

• Distribution of hygiene kits and dignity kits
• Community hygiene awareness campaigns
• Promotion of safe hygiene behaviors
• Targeted support for women, children, and displaced families

4. WASH in Schools and Health Facilities

• Rehabilitation of WASH systems in schools
• Strengthening water and sanitation in healthcare facilities
• Ensuring continuity of essential public services
• Improving infection prevention conditions

5. Monitoring and Service Tracking

• Monitoring access to WASH services
• Identifying gaps in service delivery
• Supporting data-driven emergency response

Target Beneficiaries

The programme prioritizes vulnerable groups, including:

• Displaced populations in refugee camps
• Children and women
• Households in high-risk areas (Area C and conflict zones)
• Communities affected by infrastructure destruction
• Patients and staff in health facilities
• Schoolchildren in affected regions

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

Eligible applicants include:

• National NGOs and local implementing partners
• Organizations with experience in emergency response
• Groups with technical capacity in WASH programming
• NGOs capable of working in conflict-affected environments

Preferred capabilities:

• Water and sanitation infrastructure rehabilitation
• Emergency logistics (water trucking, distribution systems)
• Community engagement in humanitarian settings
• Experience in hygiene promotion campaigns
• Coordination with local authorities and humanitarian actors

Implementation Strategy

The programme follows a rapid emergency response model.

Step-by-Step Approach

1. Selection of implementing NGO partners
2. Rapid assessment of damaged WASH infrastructure
3. Deployment of emergency water and sanitation services
4. Distribution of hygiene and dignity kits
5. Rehabilitation of priority infrastructure
6. Strengthening WASH services in schools and health facilities
7. Continuous monitoring and adjustment of interventions

Budget and Geographic Coverage

• Total indicative budget: USD 3,000,000
• Geographic scope: Multiple governorates in the West Bank
• Priority locations include:
  • Hebron
  • Ramallah
  • Nablus
  • Jenin
  • Jerusalem

Expected Outcomes

The initiative aims to achieve immediate and measurable humanitarian impact.

Key Outcomes

• Restored access to safe water for vulnerable populations
• Improved sanitation conditions in affected areas
• Reduced risk of waterborne disease outbreaks
• Strengthened hygiene practices among communities
• Improved WASH services in schools and health facilities
• Enhanced resilience of displaced populations

Why This Intervention Matters

This programme is critical for preventing a public health crisis.

Without intervention, risks include:

• Rapid spread of waterborne diseases
• Increased child mortality and morbidity
• Breakdown of essential public services
• Worsening humanitarian conditions in displacement sites

The initiative directly addresses survival needs while strengthening resilience.

FAQs

What is this UNICEF initiative about?

It is an emergency WASH intervention programme aimed at restoring water, sanitation, and hygiene services in conflict-affected areas of the West Bank.

Who is implementing this programme?

UNICEF is leading the initiative with support from selected NGO partners.

What is the main goal of the programme?

The main goal is to provide life-saving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services for populations affected by violence and displacement.

Which areas are targeted?

The programme focuses on Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Jerusalem, and other high-risk locations across the West Bank.

What activities are included?

Activities include water trucking, infrastructure rehabilitation, hygiene kit distribution, sanitation restoration, and WASH services in schools and health facilities.

Who benefits from this programme?

Displaced families, children, women, and communities in conflict-affected and high-risk areas are the primary beneficiaries.

What is the funding size?

The initiative has an indicative budget of USD 3 million for emergency WASH interventions.

Conclusion

This UNICEF-led emergency WASH initiative in the West Bank is a critical humanitarian response to escalating violence and displacement.

By restoring water systems, improving sanitation, and delivering essential hygiene services, the programme aims to prevent disease outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations while ensuring continuity of essential services in schools and healthcare facilities.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.