Distribution of Winterization Assistance to vulnerable families in Afghanistan To save lives in the areas of highest needs, in line with the Emergency Shelter/Non-Food Item (ES/NFI) Cluster’s Winterization strategy, IOM proposes the distribution of Cash for Winterization, Blanket Modules, and Winter Clothing kits to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups in host communities. The cash assistance will be one-off assistance of the amount needed by a family of seven as per ES/NFI Cluster standards to cover, fully or partially, their basic needs. This will be complemented with in-kind assistance (distribution of winter clothing and blankets) based on assessed need. The assistance will be unconditional and unrestricted, in that beneficiaries will ultimately make their own decisions on how to use the money.

Under the AHF 1st Standard Allocation, IOM will be targeting 3,975 families. Each family will receive cash for winterization complemented with in-kind winter clothing and blankets assistance simultaneously, in the following provinces: Daykundi (300 families), Ghor (425), Nuristan (350), Paktika (250), Wardak (300), Badakhshan (400), Badghis (500), Sar-e-Pul (350) and Hilmand (1100). The cash for winterization calculation is based on specific NFI needs that will contribute to meeting a Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) as recommended by the ES/NFI cluster and outlined below.

Cash-for-winterization (heater/fuel): a total of 3,975 families will be targeted under this component (3,975 families = 200 USD) post-distribution monitoring conducted by IOM for cash-for-winterization and NFIs for 2020/21 show over 90% satisfaction level, as it allows flexibility in utilization of cash to address the most urgent needs. IOM has established long term agreements (LTAs) with financial service providers and has also used the services of banks for disbursement of cash to beneficiaries. All modalities are undertaken in line with IOM Humanitarian Assistance Programme’s (HAP) Cash Based Intervention (CBI) SOP and the guidance of the Cash amp Voucher Working Group. 
In-kind blankets and winter clothing: a total of 3,975 families will be targeted under this component (3,975 families = packages worth 120 USD each) in Daykundi, Ghor, Nuristan, Paktika, Wardak, Badakhshan, Badghis, Sar-e-Pul, Hilmand.

Beneficiaries will be reached through multiple, complementary methodologies including: (i) referrals from IOM HAP teams (ii) upcoming Joint Assessment Team (JAT) assessments led by IOM assisting recent conflict and natural disaster affected populations (iii) complimentary assistance of NFIs, emergency shelter and shelter repair tool kits depending on the needs of the families, backed by HEAT assessments data (iv) IOM field staff conducting house-by house survey using Kobo tools for data collection (v) referrals from IOM Cross Border Reintegration and Resettlement program (vi) Particular efforts will be made to cover the needs of Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs) which will also include close coordination with the Nutrition Cluster partners in the field and consulting clinics (BPHS) for registered PLWs. Eligibility criteria will be set as per ES-NFI Cluster strategy and AHF guidelines and requirements, including a focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities and prioritizing vulnerable women headed families for humanitarian assistance. IOM will also ensure to consider COVID-19 SoPs and system-wide access strategies to ensure staff security, as well as remain committed to reaching people most in need for assistance. 

The AHF 1st Standard Allocation will allow for additions to be made to the target project participants for winter assistance and increase the overall target project participants from 27,500 to 31,475 families with the full support package. IOM will strengthen coordinate efforts with partners and is flexible in relocating the proposed response should there be overlap with other partners aiming to intervene under AHF 1st Standard Allocation and considering emerging needs.