Seasonal Cash for At-Risk Families (SCARF) in Homs and Hama for vulnerable households The Seasonal Cash for At-Risk Families (SCARF) project will respond to the urgent needs of the most vulnerable people to mitigate against harsh winter conditions through the provision of a once off cash assistance. The project targets 1,350 HHs consisting of 7,016 persons (2,434 men, 2,555 women, 1,005 girls and 1,022 boys) including 690 males and 711 females with disabilities with winterization support through cash assistance in targeted areas in Homs and Hama Governorates. 

The project will provide beneficiaries a sufficient amount of cash ($174.41– for winter NFIs) through a once-off cash transfer through a financial service provider (FSP) to be able to purchase needed clothes and NFIs to keep warm during cold winter months including 3 fleece blankets, a winter clothing kit, and an extra plastic sheet in accordance with NFI sector amp HCT Cash Working Group recommendations for Cash for Winter NFIs. 

The targeted beneficiaries are the same as an ongoing cash project in the same targeted areas funded by UNMAS and Danida targeting people with disabilities (PwD). ADRA has already selected the most vulnerable households through house-to-house visits and verified 100% of beneficiaries. The selection criteria used included people with disabilities, in addition to the cash working group vulnerability assessment which considered type of housing, female headed households, number of children under 5 and elderly, income source and availability, and use of negative coping mechanisms. The approvals needed through MoSAL were submitted in early-mid October 2022 with the verbal approval obtained and the official approval expected within 1-2 weeks, following which, the distribution can start immediately. 


ADRA has also undertaken an initial market assessment to assess the prices in local markets and to ensure that sufficient vendors and a functional market exist in the main targeted areas so beneficiaries are able to buy items according to their needs. ADRA has also conducted an assessment for the availability of FSP branches in both governorates, in order to ensure they are accessible for each beneficiary. ADRA has signed MoUs with both Al Haram and Al Fouad FSPs and has used their services in other cash assistance projects. ADRA will select the closest and most available FSP in each area to ensure that men, women and PwD will be able to access their assistance in a convenient manner. In 2021, ADRA successfully implemented a winterization project in the same areas within the planned life of the project and will be able to provide the assistance before the end of 2022. 

As the selection of beneficiaries has already taken place, and the transfers are able to be undertaken immediately following the approval, support costs are minimal and the maximum possible funds are transferred directly to beneficiaries, ensuring a cost-efficient approach to the provision of urgent winter support.    

In order to avoid overlap in the activities and boost the impact, ADRA has coordinated with other NGOs operating in the area and government bodies. MoSAL is already aware of ADRA’s plan and is in support. In addition, the SCARF project will complement other projects implemented by ADRA in the same area. ADRA also coordinated with the NFI sector in Damascus assuring no overlap with partner’s interventions and ensuring that proposed locations are identified as a priority.

Attached is the coded list of beneficiaries for the SCARF project.