Provision of Emergency cash assistance to food insecure households in Balkh province during the lean winter months ltpgtHigh acute food insecurity continues to plague
Afghanistan, with approximately 21.2 million Afghans struggling to access an
adequate food supply as per the Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO 2023). This dire situation is a result of a crippling economy
and a prolonged drought, leaving nearly half of the population facing alarming
levels of food insecurity. Specifically, 2.7 million individuals are in IPC4,
while an additional 12.4 million are in IPC3, characterized by significant food
shortages and resorting to emergency coping mechanisms to secure sustenance. ltspangtA staggering 87% of households surveyed by PIN in
2023 reported insufficient food over the past 30 days. Among those surveyed,
51% exhibited poor food consumption scores, while 36% where on borderline. To
meet their families' needs, people resorted to detrimental coping strategies,
including selling assets (69%), engaging children in labor (16%), and borrowing
from friends and relatives (96%), many of whom have already exhausted these
resources. Alarmingly, 95% of households are saddled with debt, with an average
debt burden of 50,000 Afghani. lt/spangtltspangtIn response to these urgent humanitarian
challenges, PIN proposes a project aimed at addressing the pressing needs of
the Dawlat Abad district in Balkh. PIN will provide three rounds of
Cash for Food support to the most vulnerablt/spangtltspangtle 4,636 HHs (IPC lt/spangtltspangt3 and 4). PIN will support 32,452 individuals, of which 51% are female (6,166 women, 10,385 girls, 5,841 men and 10,060 boys), assisting them in enhancing
their food consumption and replenishing depleted food stocks. Additionally, PIN
will offer nutrition and hygiene awareness sessions to complement this
assistance. This project is designed to provide crucial support during the
harsh winter season, as historical evidence shows a decline in families' Food
Consumption Scores (FCS) during this period due to competing priorities. Each
family will receive $37.5 per month over 3 months, totaling $112.5 over the lifecycle of the project. lt/spangtltspangtThe district in focus heavily rely on rainfed
agriculture and have been severely affected by multiple shocks, especially the
recent drought. Given the functioning, stocked, and accessible local markets,
cash assistance is the quickest and most effective method to address the urgency
of needs compared to alternative approaches. It is also cost-effective,
maintains a lower profile than other modalities, and empowers households by
granting them the freedom to adapt to regional and district variations in item
prices. This reduces their dependency while preserving their choice,
flexibility, and dignity in securing their food requirements. lt/spangtltspangtThis action aims to bridge the humanitarian
response gap in these underserved districts, aligning with the Humanitarian
Response Plan (HRP) 2023 and cluster priorities. PIN has secured strong access
and consent at the provincial, district, and local levels within the targeted
province, enabling safe, efficient, and effective operations that do not
jeopardize the well-being of communities or staff. lt/spangtltspangtPIN has been active in Balkh Province since
2001, having successfully operated in a majority of Balkh districts, including
Dawlat Abad. Over the past two decades, PIN has built a high level of
acceptance within the communities and among local structures and stakeholders.
Between 2010 and 2021, PIN reached 162,000 people with emergency support,
facilitated the return of 32,000 IDPs to their homes,
and supported 80,000 farmers. Over the past few years, PIN has provided Cash for
Food support, complemented by nutrition and COVID-19 awareness sessions, to
12,007 households negatively affected by the impact of conflict and drought. This intervention in specific builds on previously successful Cash for
Food interventions, which targeted 2,591 individuals in Chimtal and
Mazar, as well as Cash for Food and nutrition interventions in Balkh in Balkh, Jawzjan, and Samangan
provinces.lt/spangtlt/pgt





ltpgtlt/pgtltpgtltbrgtlt/pgt