Emergency general protection assistance in Kabul, Ghazni, Wardak, Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshri, Hirat, Kandahar, and Zabul Conflict remains the key driver of displacement, however natural hazards (both slow and sudden onset) also contribute to, and trigger, population movements and humanitarian needs. Afghanistan is highly prone to natural disasters, whose frequency and intensity are exacerbated by the effects of climate change, increasing humanitarian needs (HNO 2020). In communities contending with harsh winter conditions and where large numbers of highly vulnerable, shock-affected people exist, risk of morbidity and mortality is particularly high in the winter months, as freezing winter temperatures drive needs because a large proportion of shelters do not protect against cold and many are unable to afford heating and other items to protect them from the elements (HNO 2020). IDPs are exposed to host of protection risks including negative coping mechanisms due to limited access to services and humanitarian assistance.  As stipulated in the Afghanistan Joint Winterization Strategy for 2020/21 and HRP 2020, DRC proposes to provide general protection assistance to the most vulnerable households (HHs) least able to cope with winter conditions and forced to adopt negative coping mechanisms as a result, saving and sustain lives through emergency-based protection response activities with a focus on vulnerable individuals, communities and people with specific needs in accordance with the HRP 2020. The modality will be cash, which as stipulated in the HRP 2020 is the affected population’s preferred modality when it is feasible, safe, and appropriate. This project will target provinces Kabul, Ghazni, Wardak, Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshri, Hirat, Daikundi, Kandahar and Zabul, where critical gaps in the response have been identified by the APC partners and DRC. 

Through this project, DRC will assist 2,000 HHs or an estimated 14,000 individuals who are faced with protection vulnerabilities during the winter months with focus on areas confronting harsh conditions due to high altitude and heavy snow/rain, highlighted with pre-existing multi-sectoral needs, saving and sustaining the lives of those least able to cope during the winter. DRC will provide Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) to individual or family identified during protection monitoring and/or rapid protection assessment to address immediate protection concerns. IPA assistance will be provided in form of cash  to prevent, reduce, or mitigate exposure to a specific protection risk, or limit the effects of violations on victims. DRC will provide limited case management services directly linked to individual protection assistance. This will be provided where there is a serious and immediate protection risk that can be prevented, reduced, or mitigated through direct assistance. There must be a specific, intentional, and articulated protection outcome for the individual or HH in question that is directly linked to the provision of assistance. IPA is an emergency protection activity, and as such is fundamentally time sensitive. Protection Officers (case managers) are able to employ IPA as a responsive measure to address a serious and immediate protection risk (meeting the criteria), whilst they simultaneously develop a more comprehensive intervention as part of an individual case plan. DRC will target 400 IPA cases at USD218.75 per IPA in Kabul, Hirat, Parwan, Panjshir, Maidan Wardak, Kapisa, Daykundi and Kandahar provinces. DRC will provide IPA support to 70 IPA cases in Kabul, 150 in Hirat, 40 in Parwan, 40 in Panjshir, 20 in Maidan Wardak, 20 in Kapisa, and 60 in Kandahar provinces. The purpose of this approach is to ensure that protection interventions are coordinated, client-centred, and holistic. DRC will conduct vulnerability screening to identify PSN, screen them and maintain databases according to their type of vulnerability, and provide the appropriate support and assistance using the database. DRC will also provide PSN support to individuals or families, referred by our emergency teams.