Emergency In-kind Food Assistance to IPC Phase 3+ Food Insecure People in Jawzjan  Access to Quality Education in Kandahar Province of Afghanistan. ltpgtAfghanistan continues to grapple with the consequences of four decades of conflict, entrenched poverty, climate-induced crises, and barriers to women’s equality and participation in public life. In 2024, an estimated 23.7 million people–more than half of Afghanistan’s population–are projected to require humanitarian assistance (AFG-HNRP-2024). As per the recent IPC (2024) Projection period between May-October 2024 the number of IPC 3 or above in Jawzjan province will be 253,311 people (40%) including about 31664 (5%) people in IPC 4 (emergency) and about 221,647% people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). The proposed project seeks to help vulnerable communities in drought affected areas in Shiberghan and Khanaqa districts of Jawzjan Province under AHF Priority 2. The GAALO will provide in-kind food assistance including 50 Kg of Wheat Flour, 4 kg Pulses, 4 Liters of vegetable oil and 0.5 kg salt per month for 4 months to each of 2500 HHs (17,500 individuals) most vulnerable IPC 3+ and drought affected in Khanaqa and Shiberghan districts of Jawzjan province. The number of HHs in each of the two districts in Jawzjan province are 1250 HHs (8,750ividuals) in Shiberghan  and 1250 HHs (8750 individuals) in Khanaqa.  ltbrgtEach household will receive in-kind food assistance monthly equal to USD 40 per month for 4 months.  The value of one full food package/basket is  $80 (as recommended by FSAC Cluster) each household will receive in-kind food @ 50% of the one full food basket per month. Thus each HH will receive in kind food assistance equal to a cumulative amount of USD 160 over the period of 4 months. Food distribution will take place on distribution sites accessible to all beneficiaries, including those with access challenges including persons with disabilities, elderly, women and children. ltbrgtGAALO has implemented projects in north provinces and has a presence in Jawzjan province. GAALO has strong access and consent at the provincial, district and local level, and has an established operational set-up allowing GAALO to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner. ltbrgtlt/pgtltpgtThe latter part of 2023 witnessed the return of hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghans and refugees from Pakistan, triggered by a new policy affecting an estimated 1.3 million Afghans. This returnee crisis has strained border points and posed additional demands on limited resources among host communities, necessitating increased humanitarian assistance. A surge in returns is expected to continue, with projections indicating over 1.46 million Afghans from Pakistan and Iran will return in 2024 (Afghanistan Humanitarian. Needs and Response Plan 2024). lt/pgtltpgtReturning to their home country after experiencing displacement due to conflict or other reasons, children in Afghanistan face significant challenges in accessing educational facilities. The prolonged conflict in the country has disrupted educational systems, resulting in a damaged infrastructure, lack of trained teachers, and limited resources for learning. Returnee children often find themselves excluded from formal education due to these barriers. To address this issue, rebuilding the education infrastructure is needed, particularly in Kandahar that was heavily affected by conflict. This includes rebuilding schools, training teachers, providing learning materials and ensuring access to safe and inclusive learning environments.ltbrgtFor priority 1 of the 2024 1st Reserve Allocation, GAALO will provide access to the quality education for children of returnees’ household in Daman and Kandahar districts of Kandahar province. The proposed activities include Awareness sessions for returnees/including children, facilitation of student registration and needs assessments, mapping communities and school capacities, provision of teaching and learning materials to students (stationery, notebooks, stories books etc.)  and light rehabilitation of schools in Daman and Kandahar districts of Kandahar province.ltbrgtlt/pgt