building resilience to development. Interventions should therefore likely include: • Restoring access to sufficient water of appropriate quality and quantity to fulfil basic needs; • Monitoring water availability and quality of existing water sources in conjunction with the Health Sector; • Rehabilitate existing water sources as needed and upgrade when possible with a focus on maximizing the use of perennial sources; • Drilling of new boreholes when technically feasible and when other sources of water are not available for the same community; • For urban/peri-urban areas, emergency water trucking as a temporary and short-term measure, particularly to cover needs in institutions such as health centres, schools and prisons, while a more stable and reliable water source is identified; • Increase awareness of safe hygiene and sanitation practices, with a focus on participatory health and hygiene education and water conservation. In order to prevent the spread of diarrheal diseases at community and institution level (schools and health centres), software interventions should include training of communities on safe and efficient use of water, hygiene and sanitation practices, building on existing participatory health and hygiene education models used in most development programmes. Most countries in the region have on-going demand-based sanitation approaches implemented under their development programmes; • Where possible a WASH response plan will complement existing interventions for sanitation facilities at community levels. If required, support to construction / rehabilitation of sanitation. • Provide access to critical WASH related NonFood items, with a focus on the most vulnerable families in targeted areas. Key non-food items for household water treatment and storage, including water treatment tablets/liquid chlorine; storage containers, soap and key WASH related information, with a focus on the most vulnerable households and institutions. GENDER AND SEXUAL & GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE Women and girls face a greater burden during times of food insecurity, being primarily responsible for collecting water and food. The distances that must be covered to ensure food and water access increase their exposure to violence, impacts on their health and nutritional needs, and affects their caring responsibilities for other family members, including children, the elderly and those with disabilities. In drought-affected areas, women and girls often receive less food and water or self-select less food to ensure the health of their children and male relatives. Pregnant and lactating adolescents are likely to suffer malnutrition, anaemia, and social exclusion, affecting their health and the health of their children. Where men have left the communities in search of employment, women have assumed the role of head of household under precarious conditions. Single female caregivers, caregivers with a disability, or those already facing extreme poverty may not have the ability to access support for their children due to restricted mobility, low literacy and educational 20 levels, or cultural restrictions on their travel. There are increasing reports of child marriage among affected communities. In an effort to reduce the number of mouths to feed, increase the girls’ chances of being fed by wealthier husbands as well as increase family resources through collection of dowry. Early marriage deprives girls of education and career opportunities. Child brides are also at greater risk of domestic and sexual violence. When affected by food insecurity, women and girls in particular may be forced into exploitative behaviours, including sexual abuse, to obtain resources for themselves and their families. Aid workers, and others in positions of authority, may sexually exploit women in exchange for access to relief assistance. This situation subjects the powerless victims, the majority being adolescent girls and women, to emotional trauma, physical injury, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and increased school dropout rates. Awareness that sexual exploitation and