Provision of Cash for Food Assistance to Vulnerable Households in Balkh Province Acute food insecurity is so high among IPC Phase 4 food insecure people in Balkh. According to SFSA, 75% of people have poor food consumption score. Around 52% of households are resorting to food based coping strategies. Reduction in local production due to drought decreased income and remittance and increase food items prices severely reduced people’s access to food. Among all others, female-headed HHs are the most vulnerable food insecure category. Food commodity prices have increased hugely and many HHs cannot afford to buy food. Urgent food assistance needs to be provided to these vulnerable people to save their life 

According to the AHF SA1 2022 Strategy paper, acute food insecurity conditions are expected to continue in spring 2022 and beyond. Impacts of the 2021 drought and likely higher than normal temperatures in spring may result in a cumulative negative impact on pasture conditions and food availability. Drought-induced crop reduction, reduced income and unemployment, surging food prices and a broad economic crisis are key drivers of food insecurity in early 2022. Loss of household and individual income and savings has resulted in use of negative coping strategies.

The IPC Analysis (Jun-Nov 2022) classifies Balkh province under IPC Phase 4, with 30% (406,804 people) classified in IPC phase 3, and 20% (271,202 people) in IPC 4. About 20 of the 34 provinces in Afghanistan received below average precipitation, 10 of which received well below average precipitation (60-80% compared to 2001-2015 average). In particular, Balkh received precipitations even inferior to those of the 2021 drought year. Above-average temperatures during the current and projection period will also have negative impacts on the upcoming harvest. The province is identified with urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

This project provides immediate life-saving food support to IPC Phase 3 and 4 vulnerable families, with a special focus on women-headed households and support to vulnerable people facing acute food insecurity due to cumulative impacts of various drivers of food insecurity such as the long-term impact of drought, more recent La Niña impact, high levels of unemployment, high food prices, floods and other shocks. This project provides Unconditional Cash for food assistance to (8,260 individuals) 1,180 vulnerable households classified under IPC 3 and above in Mazar-e-Sharif city of Balkh province to support 75% food basket for 6 months, as defined by the FSAC. Each eligible HHs will receive 360 USD in three rounds of 120$ each to close the food gap for six months. This will make sure that the targeted households will have enough food for their family members for six months. This will contribute to an increase in food security, hence saving lives and reducing mortality and morbidity in general. In addition, this will also prevent the members of the HHs from engaging in dangerous and non-dignity activities.

In terms of market and food availability, Mazar-e-Sharif city has large food markets as per the market analysis done by SWRO. Food items are available at all times and women have access to markets.

SWRO will identify and select an MSP/FSP to provide the services for delivering the cash to the selected HHs. The MSP will be selected through an open competition. The MSP (Saraaf) will be selected based on its capacity, capability, coverage area, and past similar experience. Direct Cash will be provided as it is easier to distribute and is preferred by the beneficiaries and endorsed by the communities.

Project participants will be selected based on the FSAC selection criteria through a house-to-house survey in the presence of a committee comprised of representatives from three to four government institutions and community representatives to ensure transparency. Post-Distribution Monitoring will also be conducted upon distribution to assess the accuracy, transparency, and overall performance of the project.