Provision of lifesaving food assistance to IPC Phase 3 and 4 food insecure vulnerable people in Shamal  Spera Districts of Khost Province. According to recent IPC analysis report published in May 2022 and projection to June-November 2022, high acute food insecurity persists across Afghanistan, collapsing economy and drought is depriving nearly 20 million Afghans of food, classified in Crisis or Emergency (IPC Phases 3 or 4), between March and May 2022 and projection to June-November 2022. Among these, 6.6 million people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and 13 million in (IPC Phase 3). Nearly 20 million people, are in high and critical levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phases 3 and 4). Among these, 6.6 million people are classified in (IPC Phase 4), characterized by large food gaps and/or employing emergency coping strategies to access food.
Khost situation is similar to many other IPC Phase 3 and 4 provinces. Rural and urban areas have been particularly hit by the recent waves of crises in Afghanistan (earthquake, flood and drought), starting with the global COVID-19 pandemic and recently transition of the government in August 2021. Economic downturn and soaring unemployment levels compounded by unrelenting inflation levels have pushed millions of households into poverty. Spera and Shamal districts of Khost province has been classified in IPC phase 3 for the period between March to May 2022 projection to June-November 2022. Between this period, 10% of people are in IPC phase 4 and 30% are under IPC phase 3 food insecurity situation.
To respond to critical food needs of food insecure people in Khost, AREA aims to support IPC phase 3 and 4 vulnerable people in Shamal and Spera districts of Khost province under this project. The target location proposed by the FSAC and its in line with AHF allocation strategy. The project targets 7000 individuals (1,000 households) including children, women, PWDs, elderly, women headed families. Under the current project, targeted beneficiaries will be supported with unconditional unrestricted in kind food assistance for 6 months the package will include (Wheat Flour 65Kg= US$45, Vegetable Oil 8Liters= US$15.83, Pulses 8Kg= US$11 amp Salt 1Kg= US$0.17) on the other hand, in order to avoid spending money of household on transportation, it is recommended that food packages will be provided by AREA and delivered to them in suitable places near their homes. As per FSAC guideline, each beneficiary household will receive $72 (75% of $96 per HH per month) for 6 months ($72*6months=$432). The proposed in kind food assistance will enable vulnerable households to fulfil their food consumption gap.
The remote areas people don’t have access to the best quality of food package to produce the Minimum 2100 kcal/person/day. AREA will provide the package with enough amount of protein, micronutrients and fat for a Hh of 7 members for a month. Thus, AREA will try its best to procure the best quality of food items with energy.
The assistance will be provided through unconditional unrestricted in kind food assistance and given the functionality of market, this modality is deemed to be most effective and efficient at this time and provide recipients with greater energy. Distribution will take place on sites accessible to all beneficiaries, including those access challenges. Specific distribution points and/or times will be organized for women to ensure they have safe and culturally sensitive access to the support. Distribution will be conducted under observance of Covid-19 distribution protocols and recognized by humanitarian community, use of facemasks, hand washing facilities provided, limited sizes of groups and enforced social distancing. AREA has also developed a package MOPH approved Covid-19 precaution and prevention communication materials, that are aligned to RCCE standards. These will be rolled out during this project and dedicated community worker will lead small and socially distanced dialogues with communities and beneficiaries. To minimize risks, supported households will be informed location, day and time of the distribution a day befor