Barriers to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) cluster coordination during emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

Humanitarian emergencies across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are increasing in scale and complexity, making coordinated WASH responses critical. The cluster approach, introduced in 2005 to streamline humanitarian action, is widely used, yet its implementation remains challenging. This review mapped existing literature to identify barriers affecting WASH cluster coordination during emergencies in SSA. Searches were conducted across PubMed, ReliefWeb, Humanitarian Library, and additional targeted gray literature searches for studies published between 2014 and 2024. Following the 2024 JBI framework, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were charted using a predefined framework and analyzed thematically. Findings indicate that WASH coordination in SSA is structurally limited, constrained by short and unpredictable funding, insecurity, limited local capacity, and inconsistent communication and monitoring systems. Coordination challenges were interconnected: conflict settings faced political interference and access restrictions, while non-conflict settings experienced weak preparedness, poor surveillance, and misalignment with long-term systems. Funding gaps limited continuity and preparedness, while fragmented coordination, unclear roles, and limited inclusion of local actors reflected structural issues within the cluster. Limited local capacity increased reliance on external expertise and contributed to high staff turnover. Monitoring gaps were universal and hindered accountability and timely decision-making. These barriers prevent coordination mechanisms from becoming resilient and reflect deeper issues of power imbalance, rigid funding, and fragmented governance. Persistent gaps in localization, multi-year financing, accountability, and integration with long-term systems illustrate the ongoing challenge in translating major humanitarian reform commitments into practical improvements. Most studies originated from East Africa and relied on qualitative methods, highlighting the need for mixed-methods research with broader geographic coverage to capture varied governance systems and emergency profiles.