Envelope 1:  Improve access to life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian assistance through multi-sectorial and integrated response with a focus on winterization. (scale-up to the ongoing SCHF project). This project is proposed as a scale-up of the ongoing ERL project under HF in Suran sub-district with an intensive focus on winter mitigation, preparedness, and response. The project proposes a multisectoral community-based approach to fill the gap of winter needs. The existing signed protocols, signed MoUs, and strong presence of SARD and it’s sub-IP POINT in Suran subdistrict is the entry point to immediate and fast-track implementation. With this to build upon, the project aims to mitigate winter weather hazards and reduce flood impact of the current winter while investing in preparedness for the winters to come. Suran was a priority sub-district in the previous allocation and continues to be in this allocation given the high needs, the severe vulnerabilities and the few NGOs responding. 

By delivering a strategic, integrated, and multi-sectorial ERL and SNFI set of interventions, the project's main objective is to increase the resilience of livelihoods, infrastructures, and local economies, as well as enhance the supply chains for goods and services related to the winter season. Targeting the most vulnerable households (those referred from Protection actors and PwDs) will be prioritized. 

The project formulation is based on needs identified in HNO/HNAP data, SARD and POINT Rapid Needs Assessments, and consultation with relevant ERL and SNFI clusters, local authorities overseeing the area of operation, and stakeholders. This project will directly benefit 4,645  HHs (23,225 individuals) of which 1,010 HHs will benefit from SNFI, and indirectly benefit 1000 HHs (5000 individuals) living in 3 communities (Suran, Ehtimilat, Kafra) in Suran sub-district. The project aims to achieve the following as per the relevant clusters (ERL,SNFI) :

Under ERL: 

1. Through emergency repairs and flood prevention and  earthquake response, winter-affected infrastructure and 5 schools in the three mentioned communities are rehabilitated for uninterrupted access to essential services in Suran sub-district linked with the creation of short-term livelihood opportunities (CfW) for 30 unskilled workers. 

2. Winter-related products and services are improved by enhancing the capacity of 50 winter-related workshops through business cash grants, training, coaching and the hosting of a 2-phase scheme livelihood opportunity. 

3. Winter related products and services availability are improved through linking labor force with winter related workshops by the creation of short-term livelihood opportunities. 100 vulnerable beneficiaries are hosted in 50 workshops (mentioned above) as part of a two-phase scheme one intensive month of paid apprenticeship ‘on the job training’ followed by 3 months of cash for work. 

Under SNFI:

4. The provision of winter emergency assistance through distributing one-off cash for winter to 1,010 households (5,050 individuals) living in the winter vulnerable and flood-and storm-prone camp of Ehteimlat. Beneficiaries of Cash for Winter have access to the two main markets in the sub-district ( Ehtemilat and Suran markets) which have recently been rehabilitated by SARD under the ongoing OCHA project, and also where winter-related suppliers and workshops will be strengthened with business cash grants to cope with the projected increase in demand. 

Given SARD’s strong focus on community engagement and participation and its ongoing OCHA project, SARD will utilize the already formed Socioeconomic and Empowerment Community Committee (SEECC) with no expenses charged to this project.This is part of SARD protection mainstreaming and Accountability to AAP approach. This project in partnership with POINT is an opportunity to build upon a existing partnership under the current OCHA and combine expertise and resources towards successful outcomes. Both SARD and POINT are local NGOs founded and led by Syrians. SARD’s hard component expertise and POINT’s soft component expertise are perfectly complement each other