Integrated multisectoral Emergency Response to Drought Affected Communities in Tselemti Woreda ltpgtThis is a 12-month project,  jointly designed by ZOA (lead) and ASDEPO (sub-applicant) to provide comprehensive lifesaving emergency assistance to drought-affected vulnerable communities of Tselemti Woreda. This action responds to the severe and growing rates of food insecurity and malnutrition, exposure to disease, reduced access to water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and limited access to protection needs through the provision of an integrated Nutrition, Health, WASH, and agriculture assistance by giving particular focus on women, as their work burden, vulnerability and protection risks have disproportionately increased. ltbrgtThis project aims to improve access to life-saving quality nutrition services for children 6 - 59 months Pregnant and Lactating Women, and people with chronic health problems. To complement prevention of malnutrition and promote food security in the project location, ZOA will provide agricultural inputs support to drought-affected people. The assistance includes the provision of improved seeds and fertilizer coupled with capacity-building training on the use of technology for vulnerable households (i.e. households with malnutrition cases, Pregnant and Lactating women, children, and big families). The inputs assistance will be provided to HHs with access to land, and interest to engage in farming but have no financial means to access inputs. In addition, to protect the core livestock breeds and protect vulnerable populations from depletion of their asset base, this action will avail animal health services. This project will improve access to clean and safe water in the targeted community by constructing new and rehabilitating damaged and/or looted water schemes. To bring behavioral change and improve hygiene and sanitation practices in the project location, context-tailored hygiene promotion activities (i.e. key messaging using local language and production of IECC/BCC materials) will be conducted. To improve access to safe water in public service provision centers (i.e. at a health facility that also serves as a nutrition service provision center), pipeline connections, and construction of water reservoirs will be done. In addition, to improve sanitation, sex-segregated, and disability-inclusive latrines will be constructed/rehabilitated. To ensure local ownership and sustainability of the action, a gender-balanced WASH Committee (with a minimum of 50% women) will be established, trained, and receive schemes for post-project management. The action’s WASH intervention is designed and will be implemented in close collaboration with the kebele level assigned Health Development Army (HDA) and Woreda Water and Energy, and Health offices. Building the capacity of HDAs, and government sector experts through project staff’s ongoing monitoring and coaching will be delivered for improved coordination, management of project outputs, and safe and adequate service delivery for targeted drought affected people.  Protection will be mainstreamed across all thematic sectors to ensure safe, dignified, and adequate assistance is provided to targeted program participants. ZOA and ASDEPO will put appropriate measures to prevent, mitigate, and respond to Gender Based Violence (GBV), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA), and inclusion of vulnerable groups i.e. persons with disability. The proposed activities under each sector and the proportion of the budget allocated for each sector are determined based on the multi-sectoral need assessment conducted in the Woreda. The project integrates immediate lifesaving response activities and durable solutions that contribute to the recovery and resilience of the target populations. In addition, the project will be implemented in close collaboration and complementarity with government sector offices, humanitarian partners, and UN agencies operating in the areas. The project will be implemented with the active participation of beneficiaries, and community representatives. ltbrgtlt/pgt