Improving the access of newly arrived Afghan refugees to WASH services

The project in brief

The project was implemented by UNICEF, National Organization of Migration (NoM), the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Relief International, Norwegian Refugee Council, and WASH sector members in Iran. It began in 2022 and ended in 2023.

UNICEF has combined and conducted three main activities to ensure hygienic behavior among the newly arrived Afghan refugees.

To ensure sustainability of training, capacitating the Community Health Volunteers of a local NGOs through ToTs was organized. The volunteers, in turn, convey the key hygiene messages to the Afghan population in the settlements.

Hygiene kits were tailored to different groups such as families including girls and women, babies and people with incontinence to ensure inclusive hygiene support.

Construction/rehabilitation of WASH facilities in TeJ settlement with highest number of Afghan new arrivals was also accomplished.

The project aims to ensure hygienic behaviors among the Afghan newly arrived refugees through provision of equitable and durable hygiene and sanitation services

Main activities of the Good Practice

In the settlement, where the highest number of new arrivals resides, a package of supports were provided to the Afghan population to ensure hygienic practices among them. Refugees who attended awareness raising sessions related to key hygiene subjects, could receive hygiene kits to practice the learnings. UNICEF made special efforts to ensure the access of all groups to essential hygiene items. Standard family kits, baby kits, and incontinence kits were procured and distributed to address the needs of people with special vulnerabilities and disabilities. UNICEF prioritized the well-being and dignity of women and girls by including menstrual hygiene essentials in the family hygiene kits. This initiative not only attends to a crucial aspect of women's hygiene requirements but also contributes to their empowerment. To enhance inclusivity and accessibility in a supportive environment, female staff from local NGOs were strategically present at the distribution locations, ensuring that girls and women felt comfortable and respected during distribution. To meet the unique requirements of Persons with Disabilities, including those with special needs, incontinence kits were included in the project. These kits played a crucial role in addressing the hygiene needs of Persons with Disabilities while respecting their dignity.

In addition, they could benefit from newly constructed latrine and showers. UNICEF’s broader response incorporated accessibility features into its design and development processes, ensuring that essential facilities, such as latrines, and showers considered the mobility needs of Persons with Disabilities. These measures aimed to promote active participation and inclusion, creating a safe and supportive environment that fostered the protection, dignity, and well-being of all project beneficiaries.

Partners involved

• National Organization of Migration (NoM)
• Ministry of Health and Medical Education
• Relief International
• Norwegian Refugee Council
• WASH sector members

Results of the Good Practice

Improving the access of newly arrived Afghan refugees to WASH services.

In what way does the good practice meet one or more of the four objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees?

Objective 1: Ease the pressures on host countries

Provision of hygiene promotion training and essential items and sanitation facilities to secure hygienic practices in populations with newly arrived Afghan refugees.