GBV and Child Protection Emergency Response during COVID-19 Pandemic in Afghanistan The proposed project locations Kabul, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces are extremely vulnerable and exposed to high risk of COVID-19. GBV interventions will be implemented in Herat, and Child Protection interventions in Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar. As currently these locations are in the level of outbreak and having high number of positive Corona Virus cases, on other hand due to COVID 19 pandemic, recently more than 200,000 of people returned from Iran and Pakistan through Herat and Nangarhar bordering provinces. It is predicted that majority of COVID-19 positive cases came from these countries. As per Islamic Relief World (IRW) recent Need Assessment indicated that ongoing COVID -19 pandemic has significantly and quickly affected the context in these provinces. In which the children and women are more victim and exposed to risks in different forms such as violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect. Mental stress among children and women has been increased due to restriction in movement and stopping social activities. 

The proposed project is focusing on provision of lifesaving assistance to 69,000 individual (men- 12,530, women- 15,560, boys- 19,750, girls- 21,160) in response to GBV and child protection in COVID-19 pandemic.

The project will disseminate mass awareness on GBV, Child Protection and COVID-19 through multiple channels i.e. FM radios, IEC and BCC materials using local in local languages (Dari and Pashto). The project will establish methods to regularly and safely share accurate, timely and actionable information in consultation with GBVSC and RCCE WG. During disseminating the messages through IEC and BCC materials, project team will apply different methods of communication i.e. one to one meeting, interactive session using IEC/BCC materials and examples etc to increase awareness and promote behavior change on GBV prevention and Child Protection as well as prevent community transmission of COVID-19. The project will engage key influencers i.e. Faith Leaders, Community Leaders, and Women Leaders to motivate people individually so that the awareness messages can be reached in the remote rural areas. 3500 women and girls will be provided culture appropriate dignity kits based on selection criteria to ensure their safety and dignity. GBVSC's standard items will be followed for the dignity kits. The project will assign Mobile Outreach teams for providing Psycho-social Support (PSS) for GBV survivors women and girls. The teams will interact with the women, girls and community members following local norms, values and align with need of women and girls. Serious GBV cases will be referred to the relevant service providing agencies. On the other hand, separate Mobile Outreach Teams will be visiting the communities and door to door for providing PSS counselling to the children at risk. Recreational materials and COVID-19 specific hygiene kits will be provided to 5000 children during the PPS sessions. 600 children at risk (separated from family) will be provided protection support through interim care, family tracking, reunification, services and case management. 

IRW will closely work with GBV Sub-Cluster, CPiE Sub Cluster, RCCE WG, MoPH, district and provincial level government authorities and other NGOs to manage the response collectively and avoid duplication of works/beneficiary. All interventions of this project will be implemented with consideration of dignity, respect to the beneficiaries and their informed consent. IRW will also follow “Do No Harm” principle that guide to ensure beneficiaries security and safety in the project management cycles.