Provision of FSAC recommended Cash based Food Baskets to  IPC Phase 3 and 4 populations in Wardak Province ltpgtltspan style="color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif font-size: 8pt"gtThe humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire and is expected to further deteriorate during the upcoming winter period. Economic instability, high residual debts, low levels of remittances, flood-related disasters, and lingering effects of successive droughts, along with elevated food prices and reduced food assistance and livelihood support, will compound the already substantial levels of food insecurity among many Afghans. The impending winter period, which coincides with the lean season in most areas of the country, typically witnesses a worsening of the food security situation. This period is usually marked by severe winters and increased instances of livestock diseases, while diminished pastures may additionally undermine livelihoods for those who primarily rely on agriculture and livestock. Lack of quality inputs (seeds and fertilizers) during the October to December wheat planting season, the main staple crop of Afghanistan, poses an additional serious threat to domestic food production and food availability. lt/spangtltbrgtlt/pgtltp style="margin-bottom:9.95pt" class="MsoNormal"gtltbrgt As per the recent IPC-Information Support System, 2023 in Maidan Wardak province 77% of households have reportedly experienced shocks, and the most frequently reported shock was the loss of employment (44%) followed by reduced income (19%), and huge increases in food prices (19%). These shocks have combined to generate other implications such as incidents of GBV, among others. A total of 30% of HHs reported that there had been an incidence of violence against women in the household (in the 6 months prior to data collection) due to loss of employment or economic stress. 71% of Key Informants reported that the primary and secondary sources of income in their settlements are agriculture, 49% mentioned livestock, 36% mentioned daily labor, and 11% relied on humanitarian assistance as a primary and secondary source of income. A total of 93% of HHs reported that they borrowed food or money to buy food as a livelihood coping strategy. Such a widespread reliance on such crisis-level coping strategies implies erosion of resilience in the face of any future shocks particularly during the upcoming harsh winter period.  The key risks in Wardak province targeted areas include wide and severe hunger, receded funding to support vulnerable households, limited access due to harsh winter, livestock diseases, sustained high food commodities prices, limited pasture and fodder, and limited livelihood opportunities, particularly during the upcoming harsh winter.  ltspan style="color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gtAs per the ICCT Winterization plan under the FSAC recommended activities for 1lt/spangtltsup style="color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gtstlt/supgtltspan style="color: black font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gt SA-2023, FGA conducted a fresh need assessment and consulted with many of the affected population (men, women), hence, considered the cash-based food basket will support 3,300 of the most vulnerable households including 15% persons with disabilities (200 women, 200 men, 45girls, and 50 boys) and total targeted beneficiaries consisting of 23,100 individuals in three districts (Jalrez 1200 HHs, Hesa Awal 900 HHs, and Markaz Beshood 1200 HHs) of Wardak province. Equal Afghani to 37.5 USD per month for 3 months (Oct-Dec-2023) as unconditional and unrestricted cash-based food assistance will be distributed through an FSP as cash in hand for each targeted family. The cash modality will ensure the provision of assistance in a timely manner, allowing vulnerable people to make decisions on how to use the assistance to
best enhance their food security and supplement other more positive coping
strategies. Unconditional and
unrestricted cash assistance is well suited with 100% acceptance as per the JMMI Report 2023 to the Wardak province context and will be paid to
approved beneficiaries by the Financial Service Provider (FSP). lt/spangtlt/pgtltp class="sceditor-nlf"gtltbrgtlt/pgt