Prepositioning of seasonal winter assistance for vulnerable households in hard-to-reach districts of Badakhshan Province ltpgtltspan style="color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gtAfghanistan is currently facing an unprecedented
humanitarian crisis that could lead to a collapse of its systems and a
catastrophic impact on its people. This crisis is also undoing the progress
made in women's rights over the past two decades. Additionally, Afghanistan is
highly vulnerable to natural disasters due to climate change, making it one of
the most at-risk countries in the world. The effects of these disasters,
combined with harsh winter conditions, are particularly devastating in the
province of Badakhshan.lt/spangtltbrgtlt/pgtltp class="" style=""gtltspan style="color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gtAccording to reports
and assessments, several districts in Badakhshan province in Afghanistan are
considered to be high-risk and vulnerable areas. These districts are
particularly susceptible to natural disasters and harsh winter conditions, with
limited access to essential services and poor infrastructure. The isolated and
remote nature of these districts makes them even more vulnerable, especially
during the winter months. Due to the extreme weather, these areas struggle with
food insecurity and economic weakness. AKAH has been present in these districts
since 1997 and has established offices in strategic locations to provide
immediate assistance. They have implemented various projects to strengthen the
response capacities of the local communities, including the establishment of
stockpiles and emergency response teams. There are over 10,000 trained
volunteers available in these districts to assist with relief efforts and
emergency response.lt/spangtltspan style="font-family:"gtlt/spangtlt/pgtltp class="" style=""gtltspan style="font-size: 14px color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gtIn line with the
Emergency Shelter/None Food Item (ES/NFI) clusters 2023 strategy, AKAH plans to
provide winterization support through a mixed modality of cash and in kind
distribution. AKAH will provide $200 for heating and fuel, $59 for winter
clothing, and in-kind distribution of standard blanket packages ($57) to 1,220
vulnerable households. The heating/fuel and winter clothing will be distributed
through cash and voucher system while the standard blanket packages will be
distributed through in-kind modality.lt/spangtltspan style="font-size: 14px color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gt  lt/spangtltspan style="font-size: 14px color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gtThis
is unconditional but restricted to winterization needs of the vulnerable
families only. AKAH will use cash and vouchers delivery mechanism which proved
to be reliable, efficient, safe, and easily accessible modality specially in
the remote areas where people have no access to banking and mobile network
services. AKAH has previous experience in managing cash-based interventions in
similar projects.lt/spangtltbrgtlt/pgtltp class="" style=""gtltspan style="font-family:"gtlt/spangtlt/pgtltpgt

ltspan style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif color: black"gtAKAH conducted a rapid assessment to understand
the current conditions and challenges faced by vulnerable communities in
various districts. The assessment revealed that these districts are in need of
winterization support, particularly heating and fuel, which many community
members cannot afford. The main income sources for these areas, livestock and
agriculture, have been affected by conflict and natural disasters, further
limiting people's ability to purchase necessary winter supplies. AKAH
Afghanistan plans to provide winter clothes, blankets, and heating/fuel
packages to 1,220 households in  five districts including Wakhan,
Ishkashim, Shughnan, Darwaz Bala and Kuran Munjan) of Badakhshan province
between October 2023 and March 2024. This support aims to reduce the number of
people suffering during the harsh winter.  The heating/fuel and winter
clothing will be distributed through cash and voucher system while the standard
blanket packages will be distributed through in-kind modality. The packages
will benefit both identified project participants and those residing in remote
areas of Badakhshan.lt/spangt



ltbrgtlt/pgt