Providing multi-sectoral live-saving assistance for displaced persons in Central Rakhine In the targeted sites for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kyauktaw, Sittwe, Mrauk U, Minyba and Ponnyagun 27,434 people (7,007 men, 9,429 women, 5,303 boys and 5,695 girls) have sought a safe haven for the conflict between MAF and AA. Despite the lull in fighting since November 2020, displacement remains high and the number of people returning to the village of origin is limited. Also, there are new HH and family members of existing HH joining the sites. These HH and individuals are returning from outside Rakhine state due to the situation in-country since February 1, and cannot return to their place of origin. The IDPs continue to be in need of humanitarian assistance. 
The overall objective of the project is to address the most urgent and unmet humanitarian needs of conflict-affected IDPs through the provision of lifesaving multisectoral assistance in WASH, Shelter/NFI/CCCM, Protection, Nutrition and Food Security. The project will target the wider IDP population with focus on people with specific vulnerabilities including those linked to age, gender, disabilities or diversities. The intervention will further build on the MHF funded projects MM-20/DDA-3415/SA1/WASH-SNFI-P-FS/INGO/16842 and MM-20/DDA-3415/SA2/SNFI-CCCM-WASH-N-P/INGO/17788 and will utilize the already existing human resources and humanitarian access to deliver immediate assistance to the vulnerable communities (this project has been carefully designed to ensure there is no overlap in activities). CDN-ZOA, PIN and CERA   have long history in Rakhine in providing this assistance . 

The WASH intervention aims to cover gaps  in urgent access to safe drinking water and access to gender and disability friendly sanitation facilities, promote the application of hygienic practices and improve the handling of solid waste. Shelter/NFI/CCCM focuses on providing critical support with blankets, children winter kits, communal kitchens and fire preventions measures. The protection  component is central in our responses and includes mine risk education, child protection, protection awareness raising (including GBV and PSEA) and allowing people to implement a set of mitigation measures. Furthermore, the project supports vulnerable households that are food insecure  with cash support, agriculture training and providing in-kind support for own production. The nutrition component covers screening, referrals, stimulative playing therapy, distributions of micronutrients and awareness raising on key nutrition topics. Cross-cutting themes will be mainstreamed in the project including Covid-19, cash assistance, gender, environmental risks. 

Using an integrated multi-sectoral approach, this intervention will contribute to the reduction of a wide range of immediate and life-threatening risks as well as improve both the physical and mental wellbeing of vulnerable conflict-affected populations. The consortium approach, allows the project to benefit from the sectoral expertise and geographical reach of each partner to maximize value for money, experience-sharing, and operational capacity. 

Ensuring that assistance reaches vulnerable groups such as women, children, elderly, Persons living with Disabilities, vulnerable persons will be prioritized throughout all activities. Inclusion of children will be ensured through the project’s protection and nutrition components. The project aims to contribute to gender equality, and women’s specific needs will be addressed to ensure equitable access to essential humanitarian services. For example, by selecting women as nutrition or protection volunteer it allows them to develop themselves and be a role model for other women. 

Beneficiaries and affected populations will be engaged in implementation and monitoring of the project and the existing Complaints Response Mechanism (CRM) will be used. CDN-ZOA adheres to the Core Humanitarian Standard and is the first Dutch based organization to be awarded CHS certification.