Multi-sector humanitarian assistance in Kachin and Northern Shan The project will provide an integrated response covering the WASH, Child Protection and Food Security/ Livelihoods needs of children and their families affected by conflict and other emergencies in Kachin and Northern Shan state. The project will be implemented in 22 Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Kachin and Shan, 4 boarding houses in Kachin (used by older children to access secondary schools) and 4 host communities in Kachin. In addition, a rapid response mechanism will be available in 8 townships in Kachin and Shan states covering emergency WASH, CP and FSL needs. 

SCI will work in partnership with two community-based organisations. Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN), who have worked with SCI since 2012, will implement the same activities as SCI in NGCA in Mansi and Momauk townships. Ta’ang Womens Organisation (TWO), who are working with SCI on Access to Health project, will implement emergency response activities and awareness activities alongside SCI in Northern Shan state, mainly focusing on Ta’ang ethnic areas. The majority of recent displacements have affected the Ta’ang ethnic group and TWO’s close links with the community will help to ensure a timely and appropriate response. 

WASH activities will be implemented in 14 camps alongside the rapid response mechanism in 8 townships. SCI’s approach for WASH will be to maintain and expand water and sanitation infrastructure which meets the needs of men, women, boys and girls of different ages, and build capacities to maintain WASH facilities and support adequate hygiene through empowerment of community volunteers and WASH committees (including women and girls). SCI will also implement new approaches for child and disabled-access latrines, alternative drinking water systems, and waste management (including sanitary waste management). In emergencies, SCI and TWO will ensure that WASH needs assessments are undertaken for all displacements over one week, and will provide hygiene kits and hygiene awareness activities. SCI will also ensure adequate water supply and sanitation facilities when feasible. 

Child protection activities will be implemented in 18 IDP camps, 4 boarding houses and 4 host communities alongside the rapid response mechanism in 8 townships. Strengthening of child protection mechanisms within communities will be emphasized, and communities will be empowered to develop and deliver CP action plans. Positive discipline awareness sessions will be provided to parents (mothers and fathers) and caregivers to counter the high levels of physical punishment experienced by children in the home. Awareness activities will be undertaken in all settings (including emergencies) in close partnership with community mechanisms, and also using campaigns and event days TWO will be trained to co-implement these activities with the Ta’ang ethnic group together with SCI and WPN. 

SCI and WPN will continue to provide case management support to at risk children in all of these locations as well as emergency settings currently case management services are only available in 6 camps in Namtu and Manton through KMSS, so this is a major gap in CP services in Kachin and Northern Shan. Psychosocial support to children in camp and emergency settings will also be provided by community volunteers using the mobile CFS approach. 

Food security and livelihoods will be undertaken in 12 camps, 4 host communities  and 8 RRM townships in Kachin and Shan. SCI and WPN will continue to use the cash grant approach, which has been positively received by communities, taking on board lessons learned from the current project. New activities will be introduced including vocational training and anti-trafficking/ safe migration awareness training for youth, and piloting of a kitchen garden activity in selected camps. For emergency response, SCI will continue cash for food activities and will provide a livelihood recovery cash grant for returnees.