Funding pre-allocation

Contribute to the response funds pre-allocation process

Before being disbursed, funds are first pre-allocated by donors by response or by sector based on their analyse of the needs and response prioritization. The WASH coordination units has an important role to play in this process by ensuring enough funds are pre-positioned for the WASH sector. 

Advocate to the humanitarian coordinator (HC) for pre-allocation of pooled funds for the WASH response 

For pooled emergency funds such as CERF or CBPF, an un-earmarked budget allowance is given to the HC for the whole response. The HC decides on how to share this un-earmarked amount between each sector or between the HRP's strategic objectives. It is the responsibility of the WASH cluster/sector coordinator to ensure WASH priorities are considered by the HC in this process. The WASH cluster/sector coordinator, as other cluster coordinators, build a case through UNICEF and the inter-cluster group to maximize the contribution of pooled funds to the WASH overall budget.

Advocate to donors for pre-allocation of non-pooled funds for the WASH response

Not all emergency funds are centralized: donors also allocate funds directly to aid agencies. The WASH Cluster coordinator should be in contact with all potential donors for the WASH response. She/he should regularly communicate to them the WASH response strategy, priorities and overall updates. Donors should be made aware of possible funding gaps that they could address. 

The WASH Operation Response Plan and SOF should be shared with and presented to donors, to ensure their WASH funding strategy is aligned with WASH Cluster strategy, and to ensure it is reflected in the projects they fund. Large emergency donors usually require their partners to discuss their proposal strategy with coordination platform before submitting it.

Support partners' concept notes and proposals development

Depending on time and the context, it is good practice for WASH sector/cluster coordinators to stay in close contact with and make themselves available for the partners, to ensure their proposals (pooled funds and others) are aligned with the WASH cluster response strategy and provide them with advice when needed. The quality of the proposals received by donors in the aftermath of a crisis and their alignment with WASH cluster strategy will impact positively the WASH sector funding.