The WASH cluster approach in Afghanistan was formalized in May 2008 with a mission, namely to:
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support emergency response and recovery activities, in concurrence with the policies and regulations of the Government of Afghanistan (GoA)
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work in partnership to prevent and reduce WASH-related morbidity and mortality;
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ensure evidence-based actions, gap-filling and prioritization;
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enhance accountable, predictable and effective emergency WASH solutions.
The WASH Cluster Leadership in Afghanistan is agreed as follows: Cluster Lead UNICEF. Deputy Cluster Lead DACAAR.
In achieving the Cluster mission , participating agencies will seek wherever possible to engage in the following activities in close cooperation with other partners within the WASH Cluster and the WASH Cluster Coordinator:
Assessment and Information Sharing, Planning and strategy development,Coordination, Application of standards, Monitoring and Reporting, Advocacy and resource mobilization, Identification of key Partners and Training and Capacity-building.
The Cluster Lead ( with the support of the Deputy Lead) will ensure appropriate coordination, cooperation, and collaboration with all humanitarian partners (including UN agencies, national and international NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and other international organizations, State institutions, local civil society, and academic institutions), as well as with national authorities and local structures to the extent that mandates allow; participate in the establishment and maintenance of appropriate sectoral coordination mechanisms, including working groups at the national and, if necessary, local level
The main purpose of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster Coordinator post is to provide leadership and facilitate the processes that will ensure a well coordinated, coherent, strategic, and effective WASH response in Afghanistan by a mobilized and adequately resourced groups of agencies, organizations, NGOs, local communities etc.