Life-saving winterization assistance to highly at-risk populations in Panjshir Province The proposed project aims to provide life-saving assistance to address the immediate winterization needs of 1,142 households (7,994 beneficiaries) in the Bazarak, Rukha, Dara, Anawa, Shutul, Paryan of Panjshir Province. All target households in these districts will recive $57 for blanket, $74 for winer clothe and $200 for heating assistance. As of mid-November 2022, cases of hypothermia, acute respiratory infections, and death directly and indirectly due to the cold are set to increase. The majority of the population in these hard-to-reach districts will soon be facing severe winter conditions with a lack of heating material, clothing and blankets. This winter season is expected to be more difficult for many due to the economic crisis in the country, the lack of job opportunities, the banking crisis and ongoing armed conflicts in the province, and many other issues. This proposed project will be implemented to improve the life conditions for many of the most vulnerable individuals (e.g., pregnant women, children and elderly people) throughout the winter season.
The 2021-2022 Joint Winter Plan highlights significant needs over the winter due to aggravated vulnerability. Lessons learned from past years’ winter assistance show the urgency of providing targeted assistance early in the winter season. This will be critical as many people – particularly IDPs and returnees, and conflict affected populations who reside in open spaces or in congested informal settlements – are left in poor, unhygienic, and undignified living conditions with little access to basic services.

The chosen modality for this assistance will be through direct cash transfers to the neediest households, which will enable target beneficiaries to access essential heating materials, clothing, and blankets in the harsh winter season. Based in NAC’s previous experience of implementing similar projects, beneficiaries are willing to receive assistance in cash since it gives them ownership Cash modality enables beneficiaries to feel empowered for making an informed decision. Also, it empowers the local markets by increasing the demand and supply which indirectly improves the economic situation of the indirect beneficiaries including local vendors. Local and neighboring markets are accessible for all target groups including female-headed households, PWD, and elderly men and women with a daily connection to the provincial market that can supply the demand for commodities. This project aligns with NAC’s current programs to add emergency assistance to our “emergency cash assistance” to ensure that families and their children have access to heating materials to cope with the harsh winter season. NAC will ensure a gender-sensitive selection process and accessible accountability mechanisms, and the gender-balanced field team will ensure easy access by both genders.

All project beneficiaries will be eligible to receive cash assistance through the direct cash transfer modality by a Financial Service Provider (FSP)/ local hawala dealers since there is no other option like banking system, etc. The value of the transfer will be USD 331 as single transfer (based on agreed ES/NFI standards) per household.

NAC will contribute in areas where we are currently implementing our FAO-funded projects. Using our knowledge, experience, and trained personnel. 

NAC will ensure coordination and cooperation with other stakeholders in the proposed project target areas to avoid any duplication or overlap.
The project will start on Nov 15, bus as developing this proposal, NAC started prepration for implementing this project to make sure the winter assistance is delivered to the affected people as soon as possible.