CFAs: Improved WASH Access for Displaced and Host Communities (Sudan)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking qualified partners to improve and sustain equitable access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for forcibly displaced persons and host communities in Sudan. The partnership will support safe water supply, sanitation infrastructure, hygiene promotion, menstrual hygiene management, waste management, community engagement, and sustainable WASH systems, including solar-powered infrastructure where feasible. What Is the UNHCR Sudan WASH Partnership Opportunity? UNHCR Sudan has issued a Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify organizations capable of delivering and sustaining WASH services for forcibly displaced populations and host communities. The initiative forms part of UNHCR Sudan’s multi-year results framework and aims to improve access to essential services while strengthening resilience, inclusion, and community well-being. The program takes an integrated approach covering: Disability-inclusive and gender-sensitive WASH services Sustainable and environmentally responsible water systems Why the WASH Programme Matters Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is essential for preventing disease and protecting the dignity and safety of displaced populations and host communities. In humanitarian settings, damaged infrastructure, displacement, overcrowding, and limited access to basic services can increase public health risks. The UNHCR approach therefore combines immediate WASH assistance with longer-term infrastructure development and community capacity strengthening. The program seeks to move communities from temporary emergency solutions toward sustainable, reliable, and locally managed WASH systems wherever conditions allow. The program emphasizes equitable access, meaning WASH services should be accessible to people with different physical, social, gender, and protection needs. Key WASH Intervention Areas Safe Water Supply Partners will support the availability of safe and reliable drinking water through the operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and expansion of water supply infrastructure. Facilities should promote appropriate privacy and safety and should reduce barriers that could prevent vulnerable people from accessing sanitation and bathing services. Community-Led Environmental Health The program encourages communities to participate directly in improving their local sanitation environment.

Community-led activities may include:

Drainage improvement Community clean-up campaigns Environmental cleanliness activities Solid waste management Identification of sanitation risks Maintenance of communal facilities Community monitoring of WASH services Community participation can strengthen local ownership and improve the sustainability of WASH infrastructure. Hygiene Promotion Hygiene promotion is another major component of the partnership. Partners will work with communities to promote practical behaviours that reduce health risks. This approach can help reduce long-term dependence on emergency interventions. How the Partnership Works Organizations interested in the opportunity should structure their response around the WASH needs and operational realities of the targeted communities.

Step 1: Assess the WASH context

Identify the major water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental health challenges affecting the target population.

Step 2: Define priority interventions

Develop an integrated intervention covering the most relevant combination of: Water supply Water treatment Sanitation Hygiene promotion Menstrual hygiene Waste management Community engagement

Step 3: Demonstrate technical capacity

Explain the organization’s ability to operate, rehabilitate, maintain, and monitor WASH infrastructure. Relevant experience may include work involving: Boreholes Water treatment Pumps Water networks Storage systems Latrines Waste management Hygiene promotion

Step 4: Incorporate inclusion and protection

Explain how the proposed program will address the needs of women, children, persons with disabilities, older people, and other vulnerable groups.

Step 5: Strengthen community participation

Describe how communities and local organizations will participate in planning, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance.

Step 6: Address sustainability

Explain how infrastructure and services will remain functional after the initial intervention. Where appropriate, include approaches such as solarization, local maintenance capacity, community management, and coordination with authorities.

Step 7: Demonstrate coordination

Explain how the organization will coordinate with UNHCR, local government, communities, and other relevant humanitarian and development actors. What Should Organizations Demonstrate? A strong expression of interest should demonstrate: Relevant WASH experience Technical capacity Operational presence in the target area Experience working with displaced populations Ability to manage infrastructure Community engagement capacity Strong safeguarding and protection practices Gender-responsive programming Disability inclusion Water quality monitoring capacity Hygiene promotion expertise Financial and administrative capacity Monitoring and reporting systems Coordination with local authorities Why Organizations Should Consider This Opportunity The partnership provides an opportunity for experienced humanitarian and development organizations to contribute to improved access to essential services for displaced and host populations in Sudan. It combines humanitarian WASH response with longer-term resilience building, creating opportunities to improve infrastructure, community capacity, environmental health, and sustainable service delivery. Common Mistakes to Avoid Organizations preparing an expression of interest should avoid: Treating water, sanitation, and hygiene as completely separate interventions Failing to demonstrate relevant technical WASH experience Ignoring water quality and trea