February 2024 - Welcome to the second edition of the Global WASH Cluster (GWC) Newsletter in 2024. In this update, we bring you a rich and diverse array of news and key updates from National Coordination Platforms (NCPs), GWC members, and partners such as UNICEF, OCHA, WHO, IASC, IMPACT, IHE Delft and Handicap International.
Two months into 2024, we see an immense need for coordinated humanitarian response. According to OCHA's January 2024 Global Humanitarian Overview, there are 301 million people in need across 73 countries in 2024, of which, 181.1 million are targeted to be reached. However, this action requires USD 46.6 billion; by end of January 2024, OCHA reports to have pooled USD 34.7 million, which is still far from the funding ask. However, amidst the financial gaps, fragile contexts, and forgotten crises, shines an unwavering show of collective commitments of humanitarian sector actors — including the GWC — and its partners in delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance to those in need.
Given the numbers from OCHA's Global Humanitarian Overview, the GWC is extensively supporting efforts on WASH and beyond, ensuring that affected populations have access to water and sanitation/hygiene facilities, to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases, and to ensure the welfare of people in emergency areas. This said, NCPs are and will always be at the core of responding collectively to crises. Key NCP features this month include Somalia's, Democratic Republic of Congo's, and Sudan's WASH Humanitarian Needs and Response Plans. Also in this issue are Afghanistan WASH Cluster's and Cox's Bazar's WASH Sector's Humanitarian Response Dashboards.
More updates in this issue:
Read the full February newsletter here.
