INITIATIVE 6: multi sectoral integration of wash, especially in public health
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OVERVIEW

The Multi-sectoral Integration and Coordination of WASH initiative aims to revolutionize how Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is integrated into multi-sectoral responses to public health emergencies. Led by organizations like International Medical Corps (IMC), Save the Children (STC), and Medair, this ambitious initiative brings together key stakeholders across the humanitarian, health, and nutrition sectors to enhance the impact of WASH in global crisis responses.
The ultimate goal is to break down traditional sectoral silos and promote an integrated approach that positions WASH as a critical component in addressing not just public health issues, but also broader humanitarian challenges like nutrition, health, climate adaptation, and urban crises. This initiative spans a five-year timeline, requiring a financial investment of $675,000, and involves a collaboration between leading global agencies, including UNICEF, WHO, ICRC, World Vision, and many more.

OBJECTIVES

The initiative focuses on systematically integrating WASH into multi-sectoral responses and ensuring its consistent inclusion at the global, regional, and country levels. Key objectives include:
  • Building inter-sectoral workstreams to enhance coordinated responses to outbreaks and public health emergencies.
  • Developing a framework for defining roles and accountabilities of WASH in health emergencies.
  • Aligning WASH objectives with other sectors like health and nutrition to create a unified, impactful approach.
  • Advocating for professionals to acquire skills in multi-sectoral coordination and enhancing inter-cluster advocacy efforts.

APPROACH

The initiative’s approach centers on developing new or strengthening existing inter-cluster partnerships and coordination mechanisms. By fostering collaborative efforts among different clusters and sectors, it seeks to establish innovative operational models that will drive more effective humanitarian responses.
Key areas of focus include:
  • Urbanization of humanitarian crises
  • Climate Change Resilience
  • Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Global food insecurity and nutrition
  • Protection of vulnerable groups like women, children, and displaced populations
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Provisional total budget:
USD 445,000​
Synergies with:
TBC
LED BY:
PARTICIPANTS:
GWC, IOM, UNICEF, ICRC, IRC, LSHTM, SI, WHO, ACF, GWN, NRC, UNHCR, World Vision 
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Connecting WASH, Health, and Nutrition in Cholera Response — Coordination That Work

This webinar, hosted by Initiative 6 of the WASH Road Map, explores practical approaches to integrating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) with health and nutrition responses during cholera outbreaks.
The session features four presentations that move from strategic frameworks to field-level implementation:
  • WASH Road Map Initiative 6 — Nikolas Sorensen introduces new coordination guidelines designed to help national officials and humanitarian coordinators align WASH and health actions during emergencies. The guidelines are built around five pillars: coordination, assessment, integrated service delivery, capacity building, and monitoring.
Contact: [email protected]
  • International Medical Corps, Venezuela — Jean Carlos Lopez shares how IMC's integrated WASH and health approach centers on community engagement, preparedness, and risk communication, alongside health facility strengthening through targeted donations and capacity building.
Contact: [email protected]
  • Solidarités International, Yemen — Ali Alqubati and Marielle Snel present their work in Taiz, combining life-saving emergency assistance with sustainable water source restoration, including borehole rehabilitation and solarization, through strong coordination between local partners, international NGOs, and government ministries.
Contact Ali Alqubati: [email protected]
Contact Marielle Snel: [email protected]
  • Johns Hopkins University — Dr. Christine George highlights research on WASH mobile health programming and chlorine e-vouchers in Congo and Bangladesh, demonstrating reductions in diarrhea and cholera incidence, fewer health facility visits, and sustained improvements in WASH behaviors.
Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://washmobile.org/