Reducing Vulnerability and Humanitarian Needs in Kachin and Shan States This project will enable the Metta Development Foundation (Metta) and implementing partner Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN) to set-up a Rapid Response Mechanism to meet the humanitarian needs of people newly displaced due to conflict or natural disaster. The project will ensure that sudden-onset humanitarian emergency response capabilities and resources are pre-positioned to be deployed quickly and effectively, thus reducing vulnerability and saving lives. These pre-positioned capabilities and resources will also enable Metta and WPN to address gaps in the on-going humanitarian needs of existing Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Kachin and Shan states across many sectors, namely Shelter and NFIs, Food Security, Food Security and Livelihood, WASH, and Nutrition. WPN is already an implementing partner of Save the Children International (SCI) in Mai Ja Yang area in KIA controlled area of Kachin state and an active member of the Joint Strategy Team (JST). 

At present, close to 120,000 people remain internally displaced in Kachin and Shan states after armed conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) re-ignited in June 2011, ending a 17-year ceasefire. Armed clashes continue to be frequent in both Kachin and Northern Shan states, displacing some 10,000 new IDPs since August last year. In Northern Shan State clashes involving other non-state armed groups – notably the Shan State Army- South (SSA-S) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) continue and the situation remains highly volatile. Hence, the potential for new displacement from the spread of armed conflict to new areas is ever-present, as witnessed in recent conflicts in Gidon and Laihpawng in Waing Maw Township,  Tanai  town in Tanai Township and Kasung in Mogaung Township Kachin State, as well as Hpai Kawng in Kyukote - Pang HSeng subtownship in Muse Township,  Northern Shan State. Adding to the complexity of the situation, people in Kachin and Shan states are extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, such as storms, landslides and flooding, with the large number of IDPs being particularly at risk due to their often marginal housing conditions and livelihood situations. 

The 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan and the MHF 2017 First Standard Allocation Strategy Paper MHF priorities for Kachin and Northern Shan have shown that the sectors Shelter/Non-Food Items, Food Security, WASH and Nutrition all remain priorities for IDPs in Kachin and Shan states. These same sectors are also among the first important needs of newly displaced women, men, boys and girls. A small survey among IDPs conducted in August 2017 by Metta in three target project areas in Kachin and Northern Shan states shows that food security, Shelter, WASH and Nutrition as the first, second, fourth and sixth priority needs of IDPs.For women, however, priority needs are, in order of importance, Food security, Education, WASH, Shelter and NFI, Health, Protection and Nutrition. By providing funds to support activities in these crucial sectors, this project will enable local organizations Metta and WPN to be prepared for any potential humanitarian emergencies resulting from conflict or natural disaster. 

Project activities will prioritize the needs of particularly vulnerable and marginalized people and promote gender equality. Preferential treatment in selection processes will be given to female-headed households, women and widows, unaccompanied children (girls in particular), the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women and lactating mothers.