Health, Nutrition and Protection for Vulnerable in Kandahar The “Health, Nutrition and Protection for Vulnerable” project is aimed to improve the wellbeing of 37,927 populations affected by conflict through improved access to basic health, nutrition and protection services targeting IDPs, returnees, and vulnerable host communities in 4 districts of Kandahar Province during coming 12 months.

The project will contribute to the SO-1 and SO-4 that include health cluster objectives 1 and 2, nutrition cluster objective 1 and protection cluster objective 1.

The services will be provided through 6 mobile health teams (MHT) in 4 priority districts: Arghestan, Khakrez, Maywand and Shahwalikote.

The standard activities will be:
1. Improve essential live-saving trauma care activities in health facilities including through the provision of rehabilitative care and psychosocial support in emergencies.
2. Provide PHC services in underserved cluster designated ‘white areas’ as well as temporary and mobile services specifically initiated to address the needs of communities with high concentrations of returnees and IDPs.
3. Provision of Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) for children 6-59 months, pregnant and lactating women in hard to reach, underserved areas where IDPs have yet to be assisted.
4. Provision of preventative services (Infant and Young Child Feeding promotion and counselling and micronutrient supplementation) for children 6-59 months, pregnant and lactating women in hard to reach, underserved where IDPs have yet to be assisted.
5. Mobile outreach protection services to women, men, girls and boys principled referrals and psychosocial support to conflict affected people.
6. Provision of protection services (including health, psychosocial, legal and safety) to GBV survivors and children abused or exploited by armed groups and armed forces.

During the needs assessment, AHDS had consultations with the stakeholders the communities, local authorities, NGOs and UN agencies. The location for each MHT was chosen and updated in coordination with stakeholders. Further inputs and advices of the stakeholders are welcome they will be used for further improvement of the project.

Estimated direct beneficiary is 37,978 including 37,927 populations in the target communities and 51 staff. 

The MHTs will have properly trained staffed, required equipment and supplies, and ambulance for transfer of the victims. 

A Community Shura will be established for each MHT members will be oriented about project objectives and activities, services available, early reporting mechanisms, timely transfer of the victims/survivors, and follow up.

MOUs will be signed with the referral points (for consultation, referral, quick response and feedback). 

Project staff will participate in all meetings and other events initiated by Health, Nutrition and Protection clusters in Kandahar. 

The project is designed to contribute significantly to gender equality. Data and information will be segregated gender and age wise to ensure a good analysis of outputs and outcomes based on gender aspects.

MoPH national waste management and infection prevention policies ensure minimizing environmental hazard. The services and staff will be managed in a very user friendly manner to avoid any direct or indirect harm. 

The total staff will be 51 including project manager, admin and finance officer, logistic officer and support staff in the office as well as 42 staff in the 6 MHTs. Each MHT will have: a doctor, a female midwife, a nutrition nurse, a female psychosocial counselor, a vaccinator, a driver and a guard. Two extra nurses will be on call to replace any staff on leave.

The total required budget is USD $569,414.

Exit: if the security becomes better, the catchment areas of these MHTs could be covered by BPHS. We hope that before end of this ERP the peace negotiations reach to a positive result. Integration to BPHS will be sought with GCMU and BPHS implementer.