Multisectoral Response to Conflict Affected communities, IDPs, and Returnees in Begi Woreda of West Wollega zone in Oromia Region ltpgtPositive Action for Development (PAD) is proposing an integrated emergency response project in Begi, West Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, to support conflict-affected IDPs and recently returned communities. The project aims to provide immediate lifesaving humanitarian support to those in need. It will focus on key sectors such as protection, education, non-food items (NFI) and emergency shelter, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). PAD plans to implement this project in collaboration with Tearfund as a sub-implementing partner. Tearfund brings expertise in protection and has operational presence and national focal points for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) in the protection cluster. UNOCHA's recent report (OCHA, 01-04 August 2023) highlights the prevalence of protection issues in Begi, mainly affecting vulnerable groups such as women and children. The multidimensional crises, including armed conflict, displacement, and epidemics, have increased the risks faced by these groups. The affected communities’ resort to negative coping mechanisms such as child marriage, survival sex, sexual exploitation, family separation, and child labor due to challenges in meeting basic needs.ltbrgtSafety concerns in the target woreda have led to significant limitations on movement, with women unable to collect firewood or access houses and land outside the main town. IDPs have reported occupied or burned houses, looted crops, livestock, and other valuables. This situation increases the risks faced by women and girls, including gender-based violence (GBV). While there is recognition at the woreda level of the prevalence of GBV cases, underreporting remains an issue. To address these urgent protection needs, the project aims to establish/strengthen GBV referral pathways, conduct regular coordination meetings for service providers, set up women and girls-friendly spaces, provide psychosocial support/journey to healing, strengthen the zonal one-stop center, improve case management systems, enhance clinical management for GBV survivors, and provide need-based support for GBV survivors.ltbrgtIn addition to the protection sector, PAD will also implement activities in the WASH, education, and ES/NFI sectors. The proposed activities and budget allocation are based on the needs identified at the woreda level through a multisectoral assessment conducted for the West Wollega Zone and specifically Begi woreda. The project aims to integrate immediate lifesaving response activities with durable solutions that contribute to the recovery and resilience of the target populations. Cross-cutting areas such as gender equality, protection, and accountability are mainstreamed throughout the project activities. Proper monitoring and evaluation will be conducted by PAD and the sub-implementing partner to inform program management decisions based on evidence from the field. Joint monitoring sessions will also be conducted periodically with government counterparts.ltbrgtPAD and the implementing partner actively participate in the cluster system at both national and sub-national levels. Efforts will be made to strengthen coordination and reporting of project activities to the donor and clusters via Activity Info. The project has a duration of 10 months with a total budget of $1,000,000 USD. Through this budget, the project aims to directly reach 41,113 individuals in need, including 23,015 women and girls and 3153 (F=1987) persons with disabilities (PWDs).ltbrgtlt/pgt