Comprehensive Winterisation Response in Underserved Communities of Kunduz and Takhar Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, an estimated 1.3 million Afghans will not have access to heating and fuel this winter, leaving them extremely vulnerable to below freezing temperatures (Joint Winterisation Strategy Afghanistan, 2020). In high altitude areas with cold climates and harsh weather conditions, lives are at risk within one day of exposure to the elements. Families may be pushed to employ negative coping mechanisms, which can often have serious protection implications for women and children.

In response, Concern Worldwide is proposing urgent and time-sensitive winterisation assistance to address the severe NFI needs of acutely vulnerable host, IDPs and returnee populations of Kunduz and Takhar provinces. The proposed target districts―Namakab and Chal of Takhar and Aqtash of Kunduz―were identified based on the agency’s demonstrated operational capacity and access, coordination with other humanitarian actors in the area, severity of winterisation needs, and lack of previous assistance. Specifically, Concern is prepared to respond to the critical NFI needs of 959 acutely vulnerable families with a comprehensive winterisation package of i) 3-month heating/fuel cash assistance ($200 per family) ii) in-kind standard blanket packages ($40 value per family) and iii) in-kind winter clothing kits ($65 value per family). The use of cash for heating and fuel support, backed by recent market assessments, PDMs, and REACH evaluations, provides families with the flexibility to purchase the most appropriate appliances for their specific shelter type. This includes a gas cylinder or Bukhari stove and 180 Kg of firewood or LPG. The provision of in-kind blanket packages and winter clothing kits will keep the immediate space around bodies warm, and significantly help vulnerable families cope with the winter season. While these items are intended to be distributed jointly, households that do not meet the criteria for all three packages will only receive the relevant assistance. Given the time-sensitive nature of this response, with winter quickly approaching, Concern will distribute the mentioned support via a single instalment. 

During assessments and distributions, Concern will mainstream COVID-19 risk communication and awareness campaigns―including COVID-19 kits and hygiene promotion within winter sectorial response―as well as gender-sensitive behavioral change messaging to positively influence expenditure choices and coping strategies. Since the distribution is conducted in an closed space during winter, Concern will ensure to limit the number of beneficiaries per distribution and will provide masks to beneficiaries as well as project staff. Sanitizers will be procured to utilize by the beneficiaries and staff during the distribution. Gender, age, and disability considerations will be integrated as much as possible to ensure the response is inclusive to all segments of a community, particularly People with Specific Needs (PSNs). Winterisation response will place special attention towards children, the elderly, chronically ill, or those with limited mobility to deliver lifesaving insulation support to the most at-risk groups.