Strengthening education and multi-sectoral support for vulnerable, newly displaced people in conflict-affected areas of Kachin State The overall objective of the proposed project is to respond to the critical unmet humanitarian needs of newly displaced people, resulting from the ongoing conflict and crisis with newly emerging needs in Kachin State, Myanmar. The focus of all planned activities is on people with specific vulnerabilities, linked to age, gender, disabilities and other diversities.

First, in recognition that education is one of the key factors to ensure children’s safety and physical and mental wellbeing during times of crisis (ref:UNICEF, Save the Children), the project will provide education support to 1125 internally displaced, conflict-affected children (of whom at least 50% girls) in 18 communities across 3 townships (Waingmaw, Momauk, Bhamo), by enhancing access to quality community- and home-based learning opportunities in safe, protective spaces. (Targeting is described in detail in the 3-step process in section below.)

Second, the project will provide life-saving multi-sectoral support targeted to 2963 women and girls, men and boys, including 379 people with disabilities (PWD), across 16 communities in 2 townships (Waingmaw and Bhamo). This includes critical unmet WASH, NFI, displacement site and CCCM needs, and includes targeted cash support.

The project is a direct continuation of the twin-pronged humanitarian work started in 2019 by FCA and its CSO partners in Kachin providing life-saving assistance in northern Myanmar, focusing on cash-based transfers and multi-sectoral support, centred on the EiE sector and on specialised interventions for girls and women, reaching populations who have been long-term displaced, newly/temporarily displaced, as well as returnees and other vulnerable conflict-affected people as identified in the HRP. The proposed project is designed to leverage learnings of these approaches.

Sectoral support is integrated, creating synergies and multiplier effects, with different activities reinforcing one another. The project emphasises the Centrality of Protection for children and vulnerable groups, given the many and deep disruptions suffered and the very high levels of vulnerability. Protection risks are mitigated by a combination of reducing the identified threats, vulnerabilities and barriers, and increasing capacities and enablers. 

COVID-19 preventive measures are mainstreamed to safeguard the health and safety of the communities we work with.

The project is a co-implementation of FCA with two NGOs, Dai-Fin Social Services (Dai-Fin) and Ethnic Equality Initiative (EEI), both of whom are Kachin-based, locally rooted organizations with established access to, commitment and trust with targeted communities. Together we are able to work in a conflict-sensitive and accountable manner. FCA actively promotes localization by supporting humanitarian response through local CSOs in areas with emerging needs.

The project has been designed and planned in close collaboration and coordination with representatives of local communities, local civil society, humanitarian partners in Kachin including UNHCR, WFP and OCHA, and the national and subnational levels of the Clusters and the Cash Working Group. Through extensive multilateral and bilateral coordination, the project ensures it addresses real gaps, avoids overlap, and works in a complementary manner within the humanitarian community in Kachin.