Integrated multisector - FSL, Health, Nutrition and Protection - program in South Kordofan State (SHF Second Round 2019 Allocation) In 2019, the total number of people in need humanitarian assistance in Sudan is 5.7 million individuals (HNO 2019). Recent IPC reports indicate that as many as 6.3 million people (14 per cent of the total population) are in need of food and livelihoods assistance, 54 out 184 localities and seven out of the 18 states of Sudan have malnutrition prevalence above 15 per cent and recent flooding has increased risks associated with water-borne disease to medium or high risk in 10 states which water supplies were tested for contamination between March and May 2019 – all in the context where health services have already been stretched to breaking point (OCHA 2019).

In response to these significant needs, Mercy Corps, GOAL and Almanar propose to undertake an integrated multi-sector project targeting four localities in South Kordofan State: Abu Jubaiha, Abu Kershola, Rashad, and Talodi/El Leri. The overall goal of the project is to address the urgent humanitarian needs of households by increasing their access to basic services and livelihood opportunities. This program goal will be achieved through the following objective: Ensure the adequate provision of basic health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods (FSL) and protection promotion for 71,484 individuals, including 29,072 men, 30,259 women, 5,955 boys under 5 and 6,198 girls under 5. The project will respond to the needs and priorities of the affected population through an integrated multi-sectoral approach, with gender and protection mainstreamed throughout. 

The consortium partners are already present across the four localities and this proposed project will leverage their skills and ongoing programming to maximize the impact of the project.

Mercy Corps will lead FSL activities associated with the program. The FSL needs will be addressed through a combination of agricultural input and business start-up support, which will include the distribution of seeds and tools to support households to kick-start their agricultural production. Multipurpose cash activities will support households to meet their urgent needs during the lean season without resorting to negative coping strategies, and the formation of Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs) will increase households’ access to financial services. 

GOAL will lead the consortium and take the lead in health and nutrition activities, providing a comprehensive service with strong emphasis and integration of reproductive health (RH) services, as well as consistent outreach to promote ANC and PNC (ante and post natal care) visits. Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) services are being mapped and messaging will be integrated into health and nutrition community-based activities as well as RH services. Support for expanded programs on immunisation (EPI) outreach and services is also integrated, including strengthening of cold chain infrastructure. For nutrition, GOAL will support health facilities with outpatient therapeutic program (OTP) services whilst a Nutrition Impact and Positive Practice (NIPP) intervention will directly addresses the multi-sectoral causes of malnutrition, such as inadequate diet diversity, poor WASH behaviors, and unsafe food preparation and conservation methods.

Finally, Almanar will lead the protection activities which will focus on addressing the GBV and general protection needs of the community by increasing their access to basic protection services and building the capacity of community based networks.