Comprehensive provision of life-sustaining multisectoral assistance to IDPs in Sagaing Region, Myanmar ltpgtSince the February 2021 coup, Northwest Myanmar has faced an escalating crisis characterized by repeated clashes opposing the de-facto authorities and an array of local People’s Defense Forces (PDFs). The Sagaing region has evolved into a conflict hotspot and most affected area, with more than 8,000 significant security incidents recorded since the 1st of February 2023 (CASS, Weekly Update for Humanitarian Responders, October 2023). The intensity of clashes in the region has resulted in the highest nationwide numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs), with Sagaing hosting 813,200 IDPs (UNHCR, Myanmar Emergency Regional Update, September 2023). Deliberate village destruction in addition to prolonged or recurring displacements have significantly depleted the resources and capabilities of households in affected areas, making it difficult for them to fulfill their basic needs. In the face of attacks, communities seek refuge in nearby forests and villages, leaving behind their sources of livelihood and essential commodities. While most of them attempt to return to their places of origin once the fighting ceases, they are frequently forced to flee once again when hostilities resume, some experiencing this harrowing displacement cycle three or four times a month. Due to the increased insecurity, some IDPs opt to stay within displacement sites, residing in makeshift shelters located in forests, farming areas, communal structures, and the homes of relatives. Access to operational water supply and sanitation facilities is scarce, often inadequate or strained, prompting affected individuals to resort to precarious practices that exacerbate the transmission of waterborne diseases. Moreover, confronted with high inflation and limited income-generating opportunities, IDPs and returnees encounter challenges in obtaining a sufficient variety of food items. ltbrgtConsidering the critical and urgent needs induced by the dire humanitarian situation, Solidarités International (SI) will collaborate, under this project, with three local organizations – Border Areas Development Association (BDA), Ar Yone Oo Social Development Association (AYO) and Gathering House (GH) – through a complementarity-based strategy to support affected-population in hard-to-reach areas through a comprehensive multi-sectoral assistance package in Shelter/NFIs, WASH, Protection and Food. Embracing a holistic approach, the Consortium will rely on its extensive experience and acceptance across targeted townships. All partners have demonstrated capacities to access hard-to-reach locations and technical expertise to implement multi-sectoral projects, with a strong focus on protection-centered and gender-transformative approaches. Considering the pressing needs and the overall context of Sagaing, the project has been designed to provide multi-sectoral emergency response to conflict and shock-affected people, including IDPs and returnees, in particular those who have experienced multiple displacements. The programmatic approach is four-fold aiming 1) at supporting people with emergency temporary shelter or semi-permanent shelter, 2) at improving equitable and safe access to water and sanitation facilities as well as good hygiene practices, 3) at ensuring protection of populations affected by shock or conflict 4) to improve access to sufficient quality and quantity of food.lt/pgtltpgtUnder this life-sustaining intervention, SI and its local partners will cover the basic needs of 10,100 individuals in Sagaing (3,333 men, 3,434 women, 1616 boys and 1717 girls, of whom approximately 10% live with at least one disability), enhancing community resilience in the face of crisis.ltbrgtlt/pgt