Multi-sector Approach to Reduce Acute Malnutrition and  Build Resilience of Drought Affected Communities in Telkok and Hamashkoreib Localities, Kassala State (Envelope 4a)
Ops Codes: SUD-18/ A/ 118563 (FSL) , SUD 18/ WS/ 118526 (WASH) In line with nutrition cluster objective of stabilizing and reducing malnutrition, mortality and morbidity levels and related outcome 3: Vulnerable residents in targeted areas have improved nutrition status and increased resilience Practical Action (PA), Sudanese Organization for Research and Development (SORD) and Sudan Vision Organization (SVO) consortium is proposing through this allocation to provide integrated multi-sector nutrition sensitive interventions. 

Integrated multi-sector proposed interventions will include comprehensive WASH and FSL packages of actions in both Telkok and Hamashkoreib localities to reach 57,886 people, including 17,366 Women, 18,524 men, 10,778 girls and 11,218 boys. Gender-sensitive FSL and WASH program in both localities will be complemented by the ongoing DIFD WASH and EU food security implemented by Practical Action and partners of “Water for The Three States” consortium. It will also build on the experience of Joint Resilience Project (JRP) implemented by WFP, FAO and UNICEF in partnership with SORD and SVO in Kassala state (2015-2017). 

Above mentioned population will be targeted by nutrition sensitive FSL and WASH interventions focusing on addressing causes of severe acute malnutrition as well as strengthening community resilience to climate shocks through enhanced food security, agricultural and livestock productivity as well as availability of drinking water in the 16 targeted villages in the two localities. Moreover, FSL soft component that includes awareness raising on the important of healthy diet in addition to women training on food processing for malnutrition, establishment of women farms, and distribution of agricultural tools, seeds and seedlings to promote cultivation of drought resistant crops, vegetables and horticulture will be provided to increase household food production. Promotion of climate smart and resilient crops and livestock production systems, protection of livestock based livelihoods in pastoral and agro pastoral community through provision of emergency livestock assistance, livestock watering and temporary employment opportunities (cash for work) will increase the ability of the target beneficiaries to access adequate food from the local markets and increase their resilience to shocks. 

Intervention of WASH planned activities includes rehabilitation, construction and/or upgrading to solar operated mini water yards and hand pumps to ensure beneficiaries have sustainable access to adequate quantities of safe-drinking water with support by training for care takers and management committees. To improve sanitation and hygiene awareness raising sessions using CATS and CLTS will be organized includes hand washing facilities to maintain community free of open defecation. Sensitize and mobilize community to improve hygiene practice and sanitation measures. Water catchments hydrological studies prepared by ongoing WASH project in Telkok and Hamashkoreib (DFID funded Water for The Three States Project) will be additional source of information in order to select the appropriate water interventions in the targeted villages.  

Experiences and lessons learnt throughout the project implementation will be designed into knowledge products and shared with communities and stakeholder in order to promote innovative FSL and WASH solutions and contribute to impact sustainability and support future interventions targeting population under similar context.