Winterization support for conflict-affected people in Ukraine ltpgtNorwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and its partner, Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv (PHofK), aim to assist vulnerable households in Ukraine's Sumska, Chernihivska, Donetska, Kharkivska, Odeska, Mykolaivska, and Khersonska oblasts through targeted cash assistance for utilities and winter energy needs. The project plans to support 1,210 households with cash for utilities and 2,540 households with cash for winter energy, aligning with the Shelter Cluster's Winterization Recommendations for 2024-2025 to address urgent heating requirements. Cash will be distributed by the end of December 2024 to maximise the impact of the intervention during the winter months. ltbrgtThe selection of project participants will follow the Shelter Cluster's recommendations, focusing on those with unmet winterization needs in priority areas and vulnerable groups. Household selection will consider factors such as conflict-affected status, monthly income, displacement status, number of children, elderly, disabled members, pregnancy/lactation status, single-headed households, and fuel needs. Both in-person and online registration modalities will be utilized to ensure comprehensive targeting and prioritization.ltbrgtThe digital registration platform allows online applications to determine eligibility and assess vulnerability. Geographic information will be captured and verified to ensure households reside in targeted hromadas. In-person registrations will target those who might be missed online, including the elderly and digitally illiterate. Information on the cash assistance's purpose will be communicated through SMS, social media, and in-person engagements to avoid misunderstandings and ensure participants are informed.ltbrgtThe project will provide cash payments to cover heating utility and solid fuel costs during the winter months. For utility-based heating, NRC will provide a harmonized transfer amount of USD 453.60 per household, covering the indicative electricity utility prices for the winter season. In total, USD 548,846 will be distributed for cash for utilities. For households relying on solid fuel, a unified cash transfer of USD 525 will be provided, based on the reference amount for 14.37 Gcal of firewood. Approximately USD 1,333,500 will be distributed for cash for winter energy. Household selection and registration will be ongoing throughout October and November, with cash disbursements scheduled for November and December. ltbrgtPost-distribution Monitoring (PDM) surveys will be conducted to collect feedback on the quality, effectiveness, and satisfaction with the winterization response. The PDM will focus on understanding how households used the cash assistance as intended and will include both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Data will be disaggregated by gender, age, disability, and status to inform evidence-based targeting and monitoring. Monthly output monitoring will ensure timely assistance, and regular in-person monitoring of partner-led activities will be conducted to follow up on any issues.ltbrgtThis project aims to provide timely and adequate financial support to vulnerable households, preventing them from facing increased hardships due to the war and winter season. Through coordinated efforts and comprehensive participant selection, NRC and Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv seek to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive the necessary assistance to meet their winter energy needs.ltbrgtlt/pgt