Emergency Food Assistance through cash distribution to the IPC three and four Vulnerable People in Qarabagh district of Ghazni Province Afghanistan has been suffering from an upsurge in drought frequency due to a rise in temperature and a decrease in rainfall for approximately more than two years. According to the (ANDMA) findings on monitoring of the drought in collaboration with UN agencies, the continuous drought resulted in a noticeable reduction in rain/snow, severely damaging agriculture throughout the country. In Afghanistan, the winter wet season is critical for successful agriculture and food production throughout the year. 
IPC analysis issued in May, 22 shows nearly 20 M (19.7) M classified in crises and emergency IPC phase 3 – 4 in the lean season. While 6.6 million are in emergency IPC phase 4 and 13 Million other are in crisis IPC phase 3. (Ref: IPC Analysis 2022-May).
Afghanistan’s food security situation remains highly concerning, exacerbated by economic decline and high food prices. With 38% of the population in need of food assistance, nearly 20 million people, representing half the country's population, are still experiencing high and critical levels of acute food insecurity. (Ref: IPC Analysis 2022-May).
According to the IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analysis of March to May 2022 the continuous drought and conflict has caused the baseline poverty rate at 43 percent in the Ghazni Province which is targeted by STARS for this intervention. (Ref: Humanitarian.info-Provincial Profile). 
The mentioned Province is considered in the IPC-3 in an emergency (IPC Analysis-2022). FSAC has categorized the province as a high priority due to the number of people in need the multiple needs to be met. Ghazni Province is highly prone to natural hazards, such as floods and droughts, that have badly impacted farmers’ production capacity and livelihoods sustainability. (Ref: Humanitarian.info-Provincial Profile-Ghazni). 
Based on the IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analysis of March to May 2022 In Ghazni, 40% of population have declared to have suffered from current severe/moderate food insecurity, in an IPC3+ situation. Also 43% of the population fall below the poverty line, 0.66% returnees, 2.5% IDPs. (Ref: Humanitarian.info-Provincial Profile-Ghazni). 
STARS has targeted Qarabagh district of Ghazni Province for the provision of Food (cash or in-kind) assistance for six months at 75 percent of the food basket ($60 per month) to IPC Phase 4-vulnerable people (SO1). The proposed project will directly benefit 1475 households, covering 10325 individuals (men, women, boys and girls) will be reached out. 
STARS will undertake a rapid household survey on community level to identify the target households. 
STARS will provide food assistance in form of cash to cover food needs of most vulnerable and affected food insecure households in the target area through cash transfer modality. The assistance will be distributed in six rounds, where each household will receive 60 USD full food package 6 times 1/month. This assistance will help the IPC Phase 3 located households secure their minimum food security packages for at least six months. STARS presence in central region including the Ghazni Province has been for so long. Based on STARS rapid assessment report in Ghazni Province " Prices for basic household goods, including food and fuel, increased greatly". Based on our assessment of the local market indicates that local markets are functional across the provinces, food items are available in local markets and the prices increase is the ground fact. therefore, the food assistance in form of cash is the most appropriate model in emergency situations. In each round 60 USD will be given to every household, STARS will use HAWALA system as Banking system imposed limitations.