In-kind Poultry Packages Assistance in Chak-e-Wardak district of Wardak Province Afghanistan hosts one of the highest number of people in acute food insecurity resulting from multiple drivers. The collapse of the Central Government, freezing of finances, currency inflation, soaring food and fuel prices, disintegration of essential government services, and a rapid decline in labor opportunities, plunging the country into a profound economic crisis. The IPC Analysis Mar-Nov 2022 illustrate that High acute food insecurity persists across Afghanistan, as a combination of a collapsing economy and drought is depriving nearly 20 million Afghans of food, classified in Crisis or Emergency (IPC Phases 3 or 4), between March and May 2022 (the lean season), latest data shows. Among these are about 6.6 million people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and 13 million in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). A significant amount of Humanitarian Food Assistance (HFA) was provided, easing the food crisis for the most affected households. However, Afghanistan’s food security situation remains highly concerning, exacerbated by economic decline and high food prices. Comparing IPC analyses over the last five years indicates a deepening and widening food crisis. The number of Afghans classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse is increasing or persisting in some areas. The current March 2022 IPC analysis shows nearly half of Afghanistan’s population experiencing high levels of food insecurity. This is among the highest number of food-insecure people ever recorded in Afghanistan since the first IPC analysis in 2013, and makes it the world’s second-largest food crisis, in absolute terms. The complexity of the crisis in Afghanistan has reached a peak in the period covered by this analysis. The combined impact of a collapsing economy and multiple hazards have pushed the crisis to unprecedented levels, with people’s ability to access food constrained like never observed before.

As per the IPC analysis for November 2021 – March 2022, Wardak has been classified in IPC Phase 4 (emergency). it is among the provinces with the highest priority given the effect imposed by the drought.  20% (175,537) of the population are estimated to be food insecure. SFSA 2021 also shows sever situation in Wardak, 19% of people have poor food consumption score, 92% of people lost their income and 91% of households are resorting to food based coping strategies. Based on our field information, the food commodity prices are also increased and food insecure households cannot afford to purchase food to meet their dietary needs.
The FEWS NET Report for 2022 shows that an increase in food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and hunger-related mortality is expected through March, and levels are expected to be higher than normal due to the drought and increased food insecurity in the country. Worst affected households not receiving assistance are expected to engage in extreme coping and face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes, with particular concern for drought-affected areas, hard-to-reach highland areas where livelihood options are more limited. The drought conditions driven by La Niña, the current political crisis and conflict further compound the food security situation of a population which was already on the brink of a hunger crisis.

Through the proposed project, FGA will provide in-kind Poultry Packages assistance to 867 HHs (6,069 individuals – based on average family size of 7) in Chak-e-Wardak district of Wardak province classified in IPC Phase 3 and above, food insecure, and those anticipated to be affected by flood, dry spell and other risks, as per the IPC analysis 2022. Based on the FSAC cluster standards and the allocation strategy paper, every eligible HH will receive in-kind Poultry Packages that will play an important role in improving daily food consumption and increasing income for poor rural communities. This will help the families generate livelihood to have food for their families during the tough situations.