Multi-sectoral life-saving assistance for displaced persons in Central Rakhine The project’s   overall objective is to address the most urgent and unmet humanitarian needs of conflict-affected IDPs in hard-to-reach and under-served areas, through the provision of lifesaving multisectoral assistance in WASH, Shelter/NFI/CCCM, Health, Protection, and Nutrition. It will target the wider IDP population with a focus on people with specific vulnerabilities including those linked to age, gender, disabilities, or diversities. In particular to women and girls, as referenced in the UN WOMEN report (2022) , which was also validated by OCHA’s Myanmar Humanitarian Updates No.19-21 , women and girls in Rakhine uniquely face compounding issues brought by economic pressures, limited opportunities, and for IDPs – protracted conflict, resulting to higher health and WASH needs, among others. The intervention will further build on the MHF-funded projects MM-20/DDA-3415/SA1/WASH-SNFI-P-FS/INGO/16842, MM-20/DDA-3415/SA2/SNFI-CCCM-WASH-N-P/INGO/17788 and MM-21/DDA-3415/SA1/WASH-SNFI-P-N-FS/INGO/18662 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 these activities). Particular program activities are incorporated to particularly be more sensitive to women and girls’ needs such as dignity kits, and mainstreaming of PSEA and GBV mechanisms within the consortium. 

A consortium has been formed between People In Need (PIN), the Consortium of Dutch NGOs (CDN-ZOA), Community Empowerment and Resilience Association (CERA), Mrauk U CSO Network (MUCN), and People for People (PfP),   who collectively have a long history in Rakhine in providing humanitarian assistance. The project in partnership with local partners aims to reach vulnerable groups through the expansion of existing networks which are already assisting communities, leveraging their relationships, access, and local knowledge to contribute to and improve life-saving, multi-sectoral responses to people in need in Rakhine. By 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 well-being of vulnerable conflict-affected populations. The consortium’s approach allows the project to benefit from each partner's sectoral expertise and geographical reach to maximize value for money, experience-sharing, and operational capacity.

The WASH intervention aims to cover gaps in urgent access to safe drinking water and access to gender and disability-friendly sanitation facilities and promote the application of hygienic practices. The Shelter/NFI/CCCM intervention provides critical shelter repair and NFI support. The Protection component is central in our response and includes mine risk education, child protection, protection awareness raising (including GBV and PSEA), and allowing people to implement a set of mitigation measures. The Nutrition component covers MUAC screenings, IYCF consultations, referrals, provision of supplements/tablets, and cash/nutritious food support. This intervention includes a component on health as well, by supporting the provision of assisted devices for vulnerable groups. 

Cross-cutting themes will be mainstreamed in the project including Covid-19, cash assistance, gender, and environmental risks. Ensuring that assistance reaches vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons living with disabilities, these vulnerable persons will be prioritized through all of our activities based on vulnerability selection criteria. The 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 protection and/or (see Word doc).