Provision of Winterization Assistance for Conflict and Natural Disaster Affected, IDPs and Vulnerable Host Community families in HTR Districts of Baghlan Province Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies, driven by conflict, poor economic situation, natural disasters and more now the latest political instability. Each year, freezing winter temperatures, especially in high altitude locations drive the need for the provision of life-saving winter assistance as the majority of the affected persons do not have the financial capability to purchase items to support during the harsh winter.
To reach the most vulnerable families, ADEO has designed the lifesaving proposed project, which will be implemented in (Guzargah Noor, Khost wa Freng and Freng wa Gharu) of Baghlan province. The proposed location for the winterization intervention is because of the vulnerability of the area to extreme winter conditions (temperature goes down to -12 degrees C from November to March every year. The local economy is also very weak because of remoteness and the short crop season. However local markets are functional particularly for the heating materials as these are essential items during harsh winter. Poor people cannot afford heating, blankets, winter clothes during the winter season while income goes down and family expenditure increases.
The proposed project aims to ensure that 1,170 poorest and most vulnerable households, 8,190 individuals (Men-1638, Women-1638, Boys- 2457, and girls-2457) are protected from harsh winter conditions through winterization assistance. The project will include 21% Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs) as direct beneficiary. In accordance with the joint winterization strategy, the project will follow the in-kind distribution modalities. In-kind has been chosen for the clothes and blanket and heating material distribution to ensure the best value for money and thus ability to reach more families. After confirmation from the community through focus group discussions, winter clothing kit as per ESNFI standard kit and standard blankets will be procured and initial market assessments suggest that by buying Heating material (Fuel/Wood), clothes and blankets in bulk from the provincial or national level will allow ADEO to purchase more items than would be available at the district level through cash provision.
The target households will be selected based on the pre-defined set of criteria that prioritizes the most vulnerable households who are left out from other winterization assistance because of limited allocations. Preference will be given to women-headed households, widows, orphaned families, elderly, people with a disability or chronic illness and people with low income. ADEO will involve all sections of the target population (women, girls, men, boys, people with disabilities, and the elderly).
ADEO will ensure that a complaints feedback mechanism is fully functional. ADEO will closely work with the ESNFI cluster and relevant authorities to implement the project effectively and on time. ADEO will also follow the “Do No Harm” principle that guides to ensure beneficiaries’ security and safety.
During distributions and monitoring. Since the distribution is conducted in an enclosed space during winter, ADEO will limit the number of beneficiaries per distribution and will provide masks to beneficiaries as well as project staff
Sanitizers will be procured for use by beneficiaries and staff during the distribution. Gender, age, and disability considerations will be integrated as much as possible to ensure the response is inclusive to all segments of a community, particularly People with Specific Needs (PSNs). The winterization response will pay special attention to children, the elderly, chronically ill, or those with limited mobility to deliver lifesaving insulation support to the most at-risk groups.
This project will fill existing gaps in ESNFI support and complement activities undertaken