Intersectoral integrated intervention to reduce malnutrition in drought-affected hotspot woreda (Meket) of Amhara Region (Priority 1) ltpgtThe humanitarian situation in the Amhara region is deteriorating, driven by various factors. The region has been significantly affected by conflicts, including the northern conflict, an influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from neighbouring regions, ethnic clashes, and disputes involving unknown armed groups. Unfortunately, rehabilitation efforts following these crises have been limited, eroding the social and economic support structures of host communities. Recent problems, such as the suspension of food aid, fertilizer supply delays, and disruptions in commodity flow due to conflicts, have exacerbated food security and market stability issues. Moreover, the region has faced multiple shocks, including drought, disease outbreaks, and desert locust infestations.  ltbrgtIn the 2023 meher season, various natural hazards mainly drought have occurred and affected crops grown on 662,914 hectares of land and resulted in production losses of 9,198,375 quintals in the Central Gondar, North Gondar, South Gondar, North Shewa, North Wollo (2,621,966 Qt), South Wollo, Oromo zone, and Wag Himra zones. This aggravative the acute malnutrition burden in the region. This increases the GAM rate to 19.1% for children under five years.ltbrgtIn response to this dire situation, GOAL Ethiopia, in collaboration with Center of Concern (COC), has initiated an integrated and multi-sectoral intervention designed to prevent and respond to the effects of the drought that places children, women, and vulnerable populations at the center. This intervention focuses on an intersectoral package of services at health facilities, communities, and households with adequate access to quality health and nutrition services and strengthens the health system to deliver a comprehensive nutrition package of services working with health and WASH with linkages to durable community-led local solutions through complementary nutrition-sensitive agricultural support and livelihood interventions as part of nexus and sustainable actions.ltbrgtlt/pgtltpgtltbrgtThis intervention is designed in such a way that sectoral integration among the GOAL and Center of Concern (COC) in the targeted locations. GOAL will respond to health and nutrition whereas COC will respond to WASH and Agricultural interventions as integrated interventions at the household and health facilities level as entry points with strong mainstreaming of protection intervention.ltbrgtWith a One Million USD budget allocated for this purpose, the project aims to reach over 49,000 beneficiaries in Meket woreda of the Amhara region. This endeavor is in sync with the 2024 Emergency Humanitarian Framework, targeting malnutrition reduction in vulnerable areas. The sectors of Health, Nutrition, WASH, and Agriculture are strategically targeted to address acute malnutrition, with a special focus on children under five, pregnant and lactating women, and other high-risk groups. The project's integrated approach, combining nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, is designed to prevent the worsening of nutritional status and build resilience against future crises. Community engagement is a cornerstone of this project, ensuring that the interventions are tailored to the local context and empower the affected populations. The success of this project could serve as a model for similar humanitarian efforts globally.ltbrgtlt/pgt