Cash-based emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable communities of returnees (IPC Phase 3, 4) in Alingar and Qarghay districts of Laghman province. ltpgtAfghanistan’s food security situation remains highly concerning, exacerbated by economic instability and mass influx of refugees to the country and high food prices. Despite the significant reduction in hostilities, Afghanistan remains primarily a protection emergency characterized by high levels of protracted displacement, explosive ordinance to freedom of movement, increased risk of GBV, child labor, and early marriage. The returnees reliant on humanitarian aid and remittances, faces challenges exacerbated by the exclusion of women from economic activities. Afghanistan continues poverty, climate-induced crises, and barriers to women’s participation in public life. Despite, Afghanistan is not immune to geo-political and regional dynamics with 1.9 million Afghans having returned to the country so far in 2023, including more than 471,000 from Pakistan since 15 September. As per the AHRP 2024 FSAC part, 15.8 million people in need required humanitarian assistance. The year 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. The recent wave of return from Pakistan particularly affected the two provinces of Nangarhar and Laghman as the significant number of newly returned HHs are originally from the provinces that put an immense burden on already devastated local economy. Laghman is in forefront in term of the recent influx of returnees which makes the situation in this province specifically critical as PRRD in Laghman  reported that a total of 3052 HHs have returned and settled in different districts of this province while the majority of them settled in the center and districts. As per the IPC 148157, individuals in Laghman classified in phase 3 or above which makes 35% of its total populations that includes the HHs led by Persons With Disabilities. It deemed necessary and ethical to include at least 15% disabled in project final beneficiary list. There would be no major barrier to participation of persons with disability in project processes except long distance of distribution points from their dwelling locations, which will be resolved through consultation with community members including the disabled on selection of an appropriate and disabled-friendly distribution point. The return will continue in 2024, with projections indicating over 1.46 million from Pakistan and Iran. The AHRP 2024 targeted 17.3 million for assistance, and food aid is among the key priorities. According IOM/UNHCR ARRNA report May 2024 between 1 July and 31 December 2023, 645,239 Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan 90% of them were undocumented. The report also estimated from mid-April 2024 onwards return of 1.17m undocumented and Afghan Citizenship Card holders and a further 280,000 Proof of Registration (PoR) and Slip Holders  between 15 September 2023 and 31 December 2024.  On May 5-9, 2024 ACHRO has conducted a needs assessment in Qarghayi and Alingar districts aiming to Identify the basic needs of newly returned HHs and their top priority need  and   existed gaps in ongoing emergency food assistance to returnees and creating synergy with local authorities, communities and other actors. The report indicated the same situation as IOM and UNHCR report and proposed to assist the returnee with food package/Cash- for- Food is the assistance modality preferred by returned HHs. Through this allocation, cash for food will provided to 600 HH for 4 months, according to FSAC 100% allocated food package to IPC phase 3 and 4 vulnerable people. ACHRO will distribute the allocation in local currency, each HH will receive AFN (equivalent to USD 80) in each round and the entire allocated assistance for each beneficiary HH will distribute in 4 rounds trough contracted MSP.lt/pgt