Intersectoral humanitarian response to the needs of drought affected IDPs and Host Communities in Mieso woreda, of Siti Zone in Somali region. ltpgtltbrgtThis proposed project by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Relief and Development for Vulnerable (RDV) aims to tackle critical needs such as food shortages, inadequate healthcare, poor hygiene, and acute malnutrition faced by vulnerable host community members and internally displaced persons (IDPs). NRC will lead the implementation of agriculture and WASH initiatives, while RDV will implement health and nutrition interventions. The project will target the drought affected woreda of Mieso of Siti zone in the Somali region. The project aims to benefit 28,700 individuals (50% female).ltbrgtAs communities in the targeted project locations are predominately pastoral, the agriculture component's primary goal is to safeguard the livelihoods of targeted households (HHs) by protecting their core breeding stock. This will involve providing emergency livestock treatment through training of community animal health workers (CAHW) as well as the provision of animal vaccination and treatment facilitated by a voucher system. Supplementary feeding for core breeding livestock will also be provided. NRC will focus on mainstreaming protection and gender issues to prevent harm, considering gender-specific roles in livestock care and production. As women are predominantly involved in rearing ruminant animals, the project will prioritize their inclusion alongside other vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and the elderly, in the emergency livestock feed intervention. Selected agropastoral HHs will receive agricultural inputs such as seeds and farming tools to bolster food production. To address multisectoral needs and allow extremely vulnerable families to have the flexibility to utilize the cash, 100 of the most vulnerable agropastoral and pastoral HHs will receive three rounds of multipurpose cash, based on the Somali region cash working group rates. Drought has increased vulnerability and negative coping mechanism because of limited resources for WASH. To address these the project aims to ensure equitable and sustainable access to reliable, safe water for drinking and domestic purpose, appropriate sanitation, and hygiene services for the most vulnerable IDPs and host community members. The response will include improving access to secure, gender-sensitive water and sanitation services that align with cultural norms. Increasing awareness of key public health risks and promoting the adoption of good hygiene practices among the targeted population will be prioritized. NRC will ensure meaningful access for people with disabilities and the elderly, through the construction of ramps and handrails around the latrines. Other adaptations to facilitate access to water and sanitation facilities will be done on a case-by-case basis, as necessary. Hardware and software activities will be complementary to ensure maximum impact through recommended behavior and appropriate use of provided facilities. Activities such as awareness campaigns, hygiene promotion training, provision of water and culturally appropriate latrines, and handwashing stations, including training for WASH committees, will be undertaken to support sustainable WASH infrastructure and services, ultimately enhancing the public health status of the targeted population. NRC will ensure continuous coordination with the government, WASH cluster, and the technical working groups to ensure that post the delivery of services will continue running and maintained. Through nutrition and health components, RDV will involve mothers and caregivers in screening for early signs of malnutrition using Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tapes, the project aims to enhance early detection and treatment, thereby reducing mortality and hospitalization rates. RDV will also provide Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counselling and capacity-building of health workers through intensive training are core strategies to improve nutritional status and service delivery.lt/pgt