Integrated multi-sector assistance to support return process in Zayi Woredas, Kamashi Zone, Benishangul Gumuz Region ltpgtltbrgtInter-community violence between Oromo and Gumuz communities and security forces and armed groups in 2018-2020 severely impacted humanitarian access in Kemashi zone. Access restrictions, inadequate funding, and limited partners' presence have limited the number of people reached, leaving thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities without humanitarian assistance for the last two-three years. The population's access to essential services such as education, agricultural activities, protection, shelter, healthcare, water, and sanitation has been compromised due to violence and the destruction of existing infrastructure. Kemashi zone has seen the return of 137,575 who are currently looking a humanitarian response at their origins where most of the infrastructure and individuals property damaged in the woreda.ltbrgtTherefore, under this project NRC and the local partner BGDAN will respond to basic needs of the households at Zayi woreda through provision of Education, ESNFI Agriculture and multi-purpose cash assistance for vulnerable households to meet their basic needs. The intervention seeks to provide immediate support to vulnerable IDP returnees which targeting 10,5444 BNF under NRC on the interventions area of ESNFIs, MPC, and Education and also targeting 5258 BNF under BGDAN on Agriculture intervention for retunes at Zayi woreda and the most vulnerable host communities. In addition to this, the project will be supported by the provision of agricultural production inputs and training on climate and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Further, livelihoods support through apiculture will be provided to selected households. These interventions will be complemented by NRC’s secured funds for 2024 from GFFO to support irrigation rehabilitation schemes in the targeted locations. ltbrgtAccording to the Benishangul-Gumuz Region regional education bureau in September 2023, 45 primary schools in the Kemashi zone, Dembi, Sedal and Zayi woredas were damaged, affecting over 16,000 children. The project aims to support out-of-school children from returnees in Zayi woreda in Kamashi Zone. According to the Zayi woreda education office update as of October 31, 2023, there are 8,481 students in Zayi woreda from grade one to eight, of which 6,754 (79.63%) have enrolled and 1,727 (20.37%) children are out of school. There are 18 primary schools, of which 16 have reopened and two have not yet opened due to access challenges. In the same woreda, there are 248 (53F) teachers.ltbrgtThe project will support 500 children, 34 education personnel, and community representatives. It targets two partially damaged schools and provides enrollment, attendance, and materials support for improvement plans of the schools.ltbrgtThe conflict in Kamashi zone has severely damaged 14,636 shelters, with 8,686 having iron sheet roofs and 5,950 having grass roofs. Therefore, there is a huge need for construction material support. The findings of this assessment indicate that many family members are living in very small and unprotected shelters. NRC will provide shelter construction and repair support through the provision of construction materials and labor.ltbrgtlt/pgt