Provision of immediate assistance to vulnerable drought-affected people in Chemtal district of Balkh province ltpgtIn Afghanistan in the year 2024, Afghanistan has experienced extreme economic shocks, doubled with recent floods, resulting in a humanitarian crisis affecting over 23.7 million individuals. This crisis has led to a significant decrease in household stability, with reduction in households’ monthly income. The country's humanitarian situation is currently dire, with expectations of exacerbation during the drought season. ltbrgtWhile 2023 witnessed marginal improvements in food insecurity following the provision of substantial levels of food and livelihoods assistance over the 2023 winter, Afghanistan continues to experience high rates of hunger and malnutrition, amid difficult climate conditions, limited income generating opportunities for its growing population and ongoing barriers to basic services.  In 2024, an estimated 15.8 million people will experience crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity.ltbrgtIn Balkh province specifically, the severity of the situation has escalated in 2024, with 1,230,000 people, equivalent to 60% of the province's population, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance. Approximately 55% of the population in this province is categorized as IPC 3+, indicating severe food insecurity. The Food Consumption Score (FCS) in the province is alarmingly low, with 49% of HHs classified as poor or borderline in FCS, and 66% identified as HHs heavily reliant on coping mechanisms. ltbrgtIn alignment with the FSAC priority in ICCT drought affected people for 2024 and the specific objective 1 of the 2024 Humanitarian Need  Response Plan (HNRP), the Hand in Hand Afghanistan Organization (HIHAO) aims to provide lifesaving assistance and prevent further deterioration of food security conditions. HIHAO intends to provide in-kind food assistance to 1,525 HHs, totaling 10,675 people, in the Chemtal district of Balkh province, which is classified as IPC phase 3+ according to May-Oct 2023 IPC data. This project will be implemented over 7 months from 16 June 2024 to 15 Jan 2025. ltbrgtThe assistance package, in accordance with the 1st RA 2024 strategy and Balkh province's IPC phase 3 classification, will consist of 50% of the standard FSAC in-kind food package. This package includes 50 kg of wheat flour, 4 kg of red beans, 4 liters of vegetable oil, and 0.5 kg of cooking salt. Each package is valued at $40 USD (based on FSAC response package) and aims to provide 1,050 Kcal per person per day. The distribution of food packages will be based on the population ratio in the respective district's villages directly benefiting from this assistance during 4 regular months. This include at least 15% female headed HHs and about 20% of the project participants to be people with disability.ltbrgtConsidering the restrictive ban on women involvement, and limited number of social organizers, the female headed HHs will be reached by community elders/leader with strict supervision of HIHAO team and consideration of gender sensitivity and inclusion criteria. The community elders/leaders will be oriented on prioritizing female headed and/or disable headed HHs during identification process and supervisory follow up will be applied to ensure PSEA, inclusion and equality by the project team.ltbrgtIn total, 6,100 food packages will be distributed from Sep 2024 to Dec 2024. HIHAO will conduct a baseline assessment to identify households with the lowest Food Consumption Scores (FCS) for project inclusion. The decision to provide in-kind food assistance is driven by the province's high proportion of poor households (49%) and their heavy reliance on coping strategies (66%). The reported inability to access markets due to high food prices, affecting 38% of households, underscores the critical need for food support. Through this initiative, HIHAO Afghanistan seeks to aid the vulnerable populations in Chemtal district of Balkh province by facilitating access to quality and nutritious food, enhancing food security, and promoting healthy dietary habits.ltbrgtlt/pgt