Emergency pre-positioning and distribution of NFI and winterization relief items in NWS This project aims to replenish the Shelter and Non-Food Items (S-NFI) Cluster emergency pipeline stock for Northwest Syria (NWS) through the procurement, quality control, transshipment, as well as potential distribution, based on sudden shocks and winterization needs, of 4,152 winterization kits, 1,935 NFI kits and 1,350 tents. Shelter repair kits were removed from the proposed project following feedback from the S-NFI Cluster on the 2022 First Reserve Allocation Strategy. The thermal blanket specifications (IOM will procure blankets that fit two individuals each), as well as the kitchen sets, match the guidelines set by the S-NFI Cluster. This project focuses solely on in-kind assistance, as per the following two interventions:

First, IOM will procure, conduct quality control, transship, and pre-position to Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) Implementing Partners (IPs)’ warehouses 1,350 tents and 1,935 NFI kits. However, should sudden shocks occur and urgent humanitarian needs during the project period arise, IOM and RRM partners may distribute these tents and NFI kits to beneficiaries, based on identified needs. The RRM is IOM’s flagship instrument for delivering emergency shelter and NFI assistance to displaced populations in NWS. 

Second, IOM will procure, conduct quality control, transship, and then distribute 4,152 winter kits to affected populations in NWS, responding to identified needs and gaps in close coordination with the S-NFI Cluster during the winter season. 

All pre-positioned relief items will be distributed by RRM partners to beneficiaries based on emerging humanitarian needs. Hence, prior to the end of the project, IOM will liaise with SCHF to agree on a way forward regarding the remaining pre-positioned items, if any. 

Through both interventions, IOM intends to reach 30,435 individuals (6,086 men, 6,087 women, 9,131 boys, 9,131 girls) in both Idleb and Aleppo Governorates (exact locations/sub-districts to be determined based on emerging needs).

For both interventions, IOM will rapidly engage in the selection of RRM partners and the procurement of relief items. IOM has included IP distribution costs, enabling RRM partners to react to life-saving winterization needs.

As the procured goods will respond to emerging humanitarian needs in NWS, locations, targets, and beneficiary disaggregation included in this proposal are to be considered subject to revision based on developments – including an emerging cholera outbreak – in the operating environment in NWS, in close consultation with relevant Clusters and the Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund (SCHF). 

All goods and relief items procured and transshipped by IOM will be subject to IOM’s internal Commodity Tracking System (CTS), a system which comprehensively tracks all IOM-procured goods via scanned QR-codes from procurement to distribution (see Annex 1). Through IOM’s Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) mechanisms, this project will prioritize transparency and accountability to vulnerable beneficiaries. To mitigate Gender Based Violence (GBV) risks, IOM will ensure that information provision and feedback mechanisms are designed to be accessible, effective, and confidential. Considering the short duration of this project, IOM will not have time to conduct Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM). Hence, PDMs have been excluded from this proposal.

During distributions, IOM will ensure that IPs give priority to the most vulnerable IDPs in NWS, including female-headed households, persons with disabilities, children, and other vulnerable groups based on vulnerability scoring. Furthermore, IOM and IPs will ensure gender-segregated distribution lines.