Capacity strengthening initiative for local responders and communities in Kayah State   and southern Shan State The proposed project aims to provide emergency assistance in Education in Emergencies (EiE) as well as to carry out Protection activities to IDPs and vulnerable people in 71 locations in Kayah and Southern Shan State. These actions would be implemented across three townships in Kayah State (Demoso, Loikaw, and Phruso) and in one township in Southern Shan State (Pekon  ). AVSI Foundation will oversee the project and provide technical lead in collaboration with the following local partners: KMSS Loikaw  , Alin Thit Social Development Group, Mawduklarmae Social Development Association-MSDA, and Kayah Women Organization-KyWO. These groups propose an harmonized approach which would guarantee a wider and more effective impact, leverage strengths, as well as ensuring program efficiency and value for money. AVSI would work on Protection cluster in the townships of Loikaw, Demoso, Phruso and Pekon KMSS Loikaw would work on EiE and protection in Loikaw and Demoso Alin Thit Social Development Group would work on EiE and protection in Pekon MSDA would work on EiE and protection in Demoso and Kayah Women Organization would work on EiE   and protection in Demoso and Pekon. .
COVID-19 (C-19) cases are rising, and healthcare services needed to care for people who contract the virus are very limited. Additionally, as a result of the near collapse of banking services, there are widespread cash shortages, and price hikes and disrupted supply chains expose vulnerable populations to environmental and protection risks. Since May 2021, fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces-Tatmadaw and the local People Defense Forces-PDFs and Karenni People Progressive Party Army-KNPP has led to the displacement of an estimated 120,000 civilians   from Demoso, Hpruso, Loikaw and Pekon.
Multiple shocks have left people living in camps feeling helpless, prone to structural violence, abuse and mine risks. Vulnerable women and children are forced into behaviors which expose them to exploitation. This is on top of the fact that they are often burdened with unpaid housework, a complete lack of decision-making power and extremely scarce access to basic services. Conflict-affected children spread across camps and host communities with poor access to learning opportunities. Overall, these vulnerable groups are continuously prevented from accessing their rights. 
Given this context, this grant request would prioritize women and children. All activities would mainstream C-19 prevention, women’s participation, accountability to affected populations (AAP) through MampE and community feedback mechanisms. The project aims to improve access to education, increase community awareness and capacity to address women’s and children's rights as well as enhance women’s participation and strengthen their decision-making at the community level. For land mine victims, the project would provide improved access to assistance. 
We would be guided by the priorities set out in MHF SA-2 2021, mainstream cross-cutting themes in Protection, AAP, Gender, Disability Inclusion and Cash. Particular attention would be given to allocation strategies on 1. Age, Gender and Diversity – reaching the most vulnerable, 2. Harmonized approach and complementarity – avoiding duplication, 3. Localization – leveraging partnerships with CSOs who have valuable experience and access, 4. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and 5. COVID-19 – protective equipment, distancing measures and remote working.
Operational, security, safety and financial risk and the corresponding mitigating measures would be in place, and risk registers would be updated regularly, with project stakeholders receiving this information. A detailed monitoring and evaluation plan would be implemented with the use of indicators, the practical application of lessons learned and the documentation of recommendations. Sustainability or handover strategies including funding advocacy would be explored for the project’s duration