Providing transitional shelter assistance to vulnerable IDP, returnee, refugee and non-displaced conflict and natural disaster-affected women, men and children of all ages Afghanistan descended into a critical humanitarian crisis in 2021 following intensified armed fighting across the country, which resulted in a political transition in August. The backdrop of this humanitarian crisis was an already dire situation due to decades of war, economic decline, price increases, and rising poverty. In 2021, thousands of Afghans were displaced from their homes and original locations, continued to face the COVID19 pandemic and variants, the worst drought in 27 years, and the withdrawal of international forces which came as a major game changer for the country. In 2021, 24.4 million people – 55 per cent of the population – need humanitarian assistance in 2022, a staggering 30 per cent increase from 2021.
Between September and December of 2021, the ES-NFI Cluster prioritized immediate Shelter and NFI assistance for 87,000 people across 12 high priority provinces, requiring $2.1 million. With the harsh winter season fast approaching, the Cluster needed $25.2 million specifically to mobilize early winter-season ES-NFI support (including winter clothing, emergency shelter improvements, heating and fuel, shelter repairs and rental support) to reach 671,000 people across 21 provinces prone to cold climatic conditions. All of these activities are already included in the HRP and the 2021/22 Joint Winter Plan. Due to aggravated vulnerabilities driven by the drought and erosion of livelihoods and household reserves as well as conflict-induced damage and destruction to people’s homes, the Cluster planned to reach more than 152,000 people with specialized winter assistance. Additionally, the Cluster aims to reach some 100,000 newly internally displaced people, beyond initial HRP projections, with emergency and transitional shelter, shelter upgrade, and household items assistance – requiring an additional $7.7 million. 
In contribution to the ES/NFI Cluster targets in 2021, UNHCR aims to provide: 
1. Transitional shelter construction to 192 households affected by flooding and conflict. For this assistance and given the collapse of the banking system in Afghanistan, direct cash assistance will be provided to project recipients through UNHCR’s money service provider (MSP). Cash assistance will be provided to construct shelters and provided in instalments based on the progress of works. Here, the cash grant is $1,472, for average family sized shelter, and $1,852.6 for large family sized shelter - which will go directly to project recipients and 5% of the transfer amount will be paid to the MSP. 
2. Shelter repair/upgrade to 1,622 households in need of major or minor shelter repairs due to flooding and conflict. For repairs and/or upgrade, a conditional cash-for-shelter repair support will be delivered allowing target populations to repair damaged shelters - USD 330 for minor damage and maximum transfer value of USD 550 for severe damage. This cash assistance will be paid in two instalments. The first instalment will be 63%. The first phase of repair works should be completed in six weeks. The 2nd Instalment will be 37% and all works should be completed within 10 weeks. 
Both above shelter assistance will be provided to persons of concern in Kandahar province (Kandahar, Maiwand Zari, Daman, Arghandab, Panjwai, Shawalikot), Kabul province (Kabul) Bamyan province (Bamyan), Jawzjan province (Sheberghan) and Nangarhar province (Khogyani). Regarding implementing partners, AABRAR in Nangarhar and Bamyan, ACHRO in Kandahar and BEST in Nangarhar, will all provide technical support and monitoring the quality of shelter construction undertaken by beneficiaries.