North Kordofan- Food Security Response (Sheikan and Bara) ltpgtltbrgtAccording to IOM DTM Monthly Displacement report of March 2024, 151,292 people have been internally displaced since the outbreak of the war. For both Sheikan and Barra, a number of IDPs have moved to these localities coming from neighboring states, and that is due to the presence of some services. However, due to the conflict escalating and the increase in the number of IDPs, there is an increased need to combat food insecurity. With the expected failure of the agriculture season due to the war and the crash of the logistical routes, there is an urgent need for a response to combat food insecurity. ltbrgtSave the Children International (SCI), in partnership with the local organization Alsalam Organization for Rehabilitation and Development (AORD), is launching a comprehensive response to address the severe food crisis in Sheikan and Bara in North Kordofan. Our integrated Nutrition, Health, Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), and cash intervention, targets vulnerable children under 5 and pregnant breastfeeding women and girls (PBWG) during the hunger gap/lean season. The prioritized sectors and localities were a result of consultation meetings hosted by SHF, where all partners in the state helped determine the biggest needs.ltbrgtBuilding upon successful modalities implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) of Sudan, our initiative entails a scale-up of proven strategies. This includes mass Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and edema screenings, adoption of the family MUAC approach, provision of cooking demonstrations, Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) sessions focusing on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), 20857 beneficiaries will be the recipients of this intervention. 14,029 beneficiaries will benefit from Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and health education services.ltbrgtThe distribution of agriculture inputs to vulnerable households, accompanied by training on best agricultural practices. Livestock support will also be extended to targeted households, coupled with refresher training for animal health workers.ltbrgtMulti-purpose cash assistance will be given to the most vulnerable to purchase what they consider to be the most important items and services for their households as markets still function in the implementation areas. 16,933 beneficiaries will be provided with food security and livelihood services to combat food insecurity in the set localities.ltbrgtA distressing IPC alert was issued for Sudan on 29 March 2024, highlighting the severe food crisis in the country. Shockingly, over one-third of the country’s population, which is approximately 17.7 million people, is grappling with acute food insecurity (IPC3+). This warning of a potential famine has been issued by FEWS NET and endorsed by the Global IPC Group. Among these, nearly 5 million people are teetering on the edge of famine. Almost 90% of those in IPC4 are located in conflict-ridden areas such as Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Aj Jazirah. As the lean season commences in April, the food insecurity situation is predicted to deteriorate further. In the event of escalating conflict, states like Khartoum and Aj Jazirah, along with greater Darfur and greater Kordofan, could experience disastrous consequences, including prolonged displacement and minimal to no humanitarian access for the needy population. The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) projects a 4.86 million people in need (PiN) – a 22% increase and the highest ever estimated in Sudan.ltbrgtBoth SCI and its local partner will aim to ensure that the project implementation is conflict-sensitive and ensures no escalation or ethnic tension arises from the intervention. Different measures and mechanisms are designed to stop and mitigate any triggers of conflict in the areas of implementation. ltbrgtlt/pgtltpgtlt/pgt