Strengthening community resilience via HLP data collection and cash for priority community investments in Maydan Wardak province At the moment, 6 million Afghanis need HLP assistance across the country (HRP 2022). Those areas directly engaged in the conflict and up to recently hard-to-reach are affected at most, since high number of people return to their places of origin after decades of limited access, claiming their property and land that have been used by those who stayed. With increased pressure on accessible existing resources and assets numerous disputes tear apart the communities. 
Known as one of the strategic entry points to Kabul, Wardak has been on the front line for the 40 years of conflict. Agricultural land is marred by remnants of war, public infrastructure strategically destroyed or damaged, and persons economically and socially marginalized. PIN has conducted an assessment and field visit in Saydabad and Jaghatoo districts (Annex 1), where main HLP issues were discussed and community assets like pastures, karez, or minor access roads visited. Other two PIN surveys (Annex 2, 3) confirmed alarming needs: 84% of the population cope with decreased income accounting now for 1400 AFH in average and 80% lack labor opportunities, whilst only 33% received any type of assistance during past 3-12 months. At the same time, 45% of households have a family member that lives with a disability, 15% with chronic illness respectively and almost a third hosts a person outside the family in their own house. Women-headed HHs face barriers to access basic services or markets and only 30% of agriculture land is cultivated and water shortages negatively affect the crops.
Throughout this project, main HLP issues that the communities in Saydabad and Jaghatoo are challenged with will be assessed, summarized, highlighted and shared. This exercise will compose of stakeholders mapping, at least 20 KIIs and 600 HH interviews and HLP brief production. the communities will be enabled to repair, expand or create their public assets through Cash for priority community investments scheme. 1350 workers (where possible, women will be included in culturally befitting activities) engaged in the community works and their families (9450 ind.) will be provided with 3 months long cash support according to the FSAC standards (80 USD/month for unskilled labour for 1215 HH/8505 ind, 154 USD/month for skilled labour – 135 HH/ 945 ind). 150 extremely vulnerable HHs (1050 ind) that are unable to participate in the CfW scheme (women, elderly or child headed HHs, HHs with disabled or chronically ill workforce) will be provided unconditional Cash for food support equal to 80 USD/month over the period of 3 months. The community investments such as karez, terraces, basic infrastructure or food processing assets, will be selected applying the community based participatory approach, engaging local stakeholders and representatives of different groups to determine the priority assets and activities. Workers will be selected based on a set of criteria prioritizing those most vulnerable but at the same time able to participate on given activities. Before final decision will be made, the assets ownership status will be confirmed with DAIL, Provincial governor or other respective body to ensure solely those assets owned by the community will be supported. 
By doing so, communities will make the first step towards various HLP disputes resolution and at the same time, their water, livelihoods, basic services and food security situation will be improved. PIN will closely cooperate with the HLP task force utilizing its experience and existing tools. PIN will also closely cooperate with MoA, DoRRD, DAIL, CDCs, Extension workers, traditional authorities, women groups, and other stakeholders.
PIN has strong access and consent in the targeted province, at the provincial, district and local level, with an operational set-up in Wardak.