Multi-sectoral rapid response assistance to conflict-affected communities in frontline and newly accessible areas in Eastern and Southern Ukraine ltpgtltspangtltspangtActed is proposing a flexible and comprehensive package of rapid assistance in lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtMulti-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), WASH, lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtCCSlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt and Shelterlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt/NFIlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtto meet the multi-sectoral immediate needs of frontline, rural, and newly accessible communities in lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtKhersonska, Mykolaivska, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkivska, lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtZaporizhka,lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt Donetska, and, if accessible, Luhanska oblastslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt, depending on the context and developments in the conflict. Actedlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtwill prioritize areas of interventions based on 1) lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtseverity of needlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt, 2) lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtnumber of people affectedlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt, prioritizing areas with a high number of populations in need, 3) type of settlements, focusing on lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtrural and peri-urban areaslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt, where access to services and humanitarian aid is limited. lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtThis 12-month intervention will capitalize on Acted’s existing portfolio of multi-sectoral emergency activities and implementation capacity in the priority areaslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt to effectively respond to urgent needs and address gaps in the larger humanitarian aid response. lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangt lt/spangtltbrgtlt/pgtltdivgtltpgtltspangtltspangtlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangt lt/spangtlt/pgtlt/divgtltdivgtltpgtltspangtltspangtActed will provide multi-sectoral assistance through lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtMPCA or in-kind support.lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtMPCA will be the preferred modalitylt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt due to its flexibility, while lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtin-kind assistance will target specific population groups or geographic areaslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt that need additional sectoral-specific assistance and/or have restricted access to functional banks and markets. Given the extensive damage to WASH infrastructure and civilian housing due to military activities and occupation, the lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtemergency Shelter and WASH supportlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt will provide essential interim assistance to severely affected communitieslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtat household-level only and institutional- and household-levels respectivelylt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt, while linking up with medium term efforts under other Acted funding streams for more comprehensive and long-lasting positive impact. In line with Clusters’ priorities, Acted will ensure the lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtprovision of hygiene kits and water supply lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtto isolated settlements through bottled water distribution, water trucking lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtand lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtsupport to WASH facilitieslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt with generators and repairs/rehabilitations of water supply and sanitation systemslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt, while also operating lifesaving shelter support through the lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtdistribution of emergency shelter kits and building materialslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt to conflict-affected communities. Acted will supplement these activities with additional support under its existing portfolio, in particular distribution of food kits, referrals to protection partners, Shelter repairs and small grants to local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).  lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangt lt/spangtlt/pgtlt/divgtltdivgtltpgtltspangtltspangtAssistance will be provided in the framework of Acted’s lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtEmergency Response Mechanism (ERMlt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt)lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt. The ERM is based on an alert cycle consisting of two phases. 1) The Cell identifies an area of intervention (frontline/newly accessible), plans access and modalities of the lifesaving assistance needed based on rapid needs assessments, contacts with local authorities and CSOs present, etc. 2) Once an area is accessible, Acted conducts the distribution of relevant identified items and/or MPCA based on the needs outlined. While in-kind support is often sectoral and slower to respond to evolving needs on the ground, lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangtthrough its ERM, Acted aims to provide swifter, multi-sectoral support to the targeted areaslt/spangtlt/spangtltspangtltspangt. lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangt lt/spangtlt/pgtlt/divgtltdivgtltpgtltspangtltspangtSince June 2023, Acted was engaged in the initial phase of response to the Kakhovka dam incident, providing emergency assistance in evacuation zones, areas within the flooding zones, as well as upstream areas directly affected by disruption of water supply across Khersonska, Mykolaivska, Odeska and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. In line with priority needs identified by local authorities, Acted proposes to scale up its emergency intervention both through direct distribution and partnerships with local CSOs under this project, in the areas of WASH, Shelter/NFI, and Disaster Preparedness (DP).lt/spangtlt/spangtltspangt lt/spangtlt/pgtlt/divgtltpgtlt/pgt