Winter assistance to  most vulnerable HH in Paktika Province Describe briefly context of affected country with focus on crisis area:
Paktika province still recovering from June 2022 earthquake is currently in the midst of a severe humanitarian crisis, with significant challenges and a profound impact on the well-being of its people. Recent political, economic, social and environmental crises have not only halted progress made over the past two decades but has also caused a regression in advancements achieved. As per the Food Security Integrated Phase Classification (IPC), more than 50% of population (654k) is in IPC-3&4 – severe and extreme conditions.  Other driver to people vulnerability was of a powerful 5.9-magnitude earthquake on June 22, 2022, that struck Paktika province particularly devastated the districts of Barmal and Gayan in the Province. Tragically, the earthquake resulted in the injury of 2,924 individuals and claimed the lives of 1,036 people and, around 4,500 homes in suffered complete or partial damage. Joint Assessment Teams (JATs) evaluated approximately 200,000 individuals across nine earthquake-affected districts, revealing high levels of deprivation, unmet needs, and systemic flaws. As a result, over 100,000 people urgently require humanitarian assistance. During the winter season, limited opportunities for food production and income generation, along with scarcity in land pastures and crop residuals for livestock, further exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Furthermore, inadequate shelter and limited access to regular heating sources increase the risk of hypothermia, acute respiratory infections (ARI), and unfortunately, in some cases, even death – both directly and indirectly linked to the cold. The most vulnerable group will be women, children, elderly and people living with disabilities. 
To address these pressing needs, early identification of funds to support winterization activities and preparedness is pivotal. This allows us to strategically plan and support vulnerable families to acquire winter items before heavy snowfall cuts off certain parts of the province from critical supply routes. A swift response to these needs will not only alleviate the adoption of negative coping mechanisms but also significantly reduce occurrences of respiratory infections, hypothermia, and, preventable deaths of children and other vulnerable groups. Current statistics emphasize the urgency of the situation. In Paktika province, approximately 81 per cent of households lack sufficient winter clothing, leaving them ill-prepared for the cold. Furthermore, 77 per cent of households lack access to heating materials, compounding their vulnerability during winter. A robust winterization response is essential to provide life-saving support and prevent the worst outcomes. The 2023 Inter-Cluster Coordination Team (ICCT) Winter Prioritization Plan identifies locations in Paktika where seasonal risks during the October to December period (early onset winter season) and underserved locations intersect, therefore indicating where the most acute multi-sectoral vulnerabilities lie which need urgent attention. To save lives, reduce the suffering and improve the living conditions and dignity of most vulnerable people during winter season by provision of seasonal winterisation assistance to the most vulnerable HHs in Paktika Province Beneficiaries
Total beneficiaries: 600 HHs (5,250 Individuals)
Women: 756 
Children: 2,688
Men: 756
Elderly: 420
Disabled: 630