Emergency Cash for Food assistance to most vulnerable IPC 3 and and 4 population in Ghorband and Salang districts of Parwan province Since the beginning of the 2022, Afghanistan has been significantly impacted by multiple earthquakes, flash floods and La Nina. On June 22, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Paktika and Khost provinces, affecting an estimated 361,634 people. The earthquake damaged or destroyed 4,500 homes and many people continue to live in makeshift shelters or in open spaces as of late July. Meanwhile, in July, atypically heavy rainfall during the dry season has caused flash flooding in many areas. Many natural disaster-affected households have lost traditional sources of food and income and are expected to need humanitarian assistance. Conflict in Panjsher and Baghlan also continues to disrupt livelihoods and drive displacement. For some worst-affected poor households who have been displaced, Emergency and Crisis (IPC Phase 4 and 3) outcomes would be likely to persist through the lean period 2023 in the absence of assistance due to limited income-earning opportunities and high prices.

High acute food insecurity exists in Afghanistan, as a combination of a collapsing economy and drought and is depriving nearly 20 million Afghans of food, classified in Crisis or Emergency (IPC Phases 3 or 4), between March and May 2022 as per the March 2022 IPC report. Among these are about 6.6 million people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and 13 million in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). For the first time since the introduction of IPC in Afghanistan, Catastrophe conditions (IPC Phase 5) were detected for 20,000 people.

A weak to moderate La Niña event has been affecting Afghanistan since October 2021. Precipitation anomaly experienced at the start of season which has led to below average precipitation, still exists across most parts of the country. Additionally, low soil moisture and low snow water volumes have already led to moisture stress in the northern wheat belt. As result of the below average wet season, the wheat harvest this year was significantly below average. The deficit in production will push many households into acute food insecurity in many provinces including Parwan. 

Cash for food assistance will be provided to 1,035 households (7,245 individuals) in IPC phase 3 and above people in two districts of Parwan province, namely Ghorband and Salang under this project. Following the third reserve allocation strategy guideline, each household will receive 75 percent of the standard cash basket for six months (72*6=USD432). Every household will receive USD432 for the project life cycle. The actual distribution will happen in three installments because Salang and Ghorband districts are mountainous. his will allow APWDO to conduct regular market monitoring in between the distributions and provide nutrition messaging for communities on what commodities they should spend the cash. This will allow APWDO to access the areas and manage the distributions better during the winter time. Every household will receive double ration (72*2=USD144) in each distribution round. 
The planned cash in hand assistance will help food insecure households to cover their food needs during the winter. The cash will be delivered to the project participants by a Hawala company. Cash in hand delivery mechanism is selected as the right modality because markets are functional in both districts of Parwan province namely Ghorband and Salang.