Provision of life-saving health and nutrition services in areas of return and drought affected communities. ltpgtThe involuntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran has significantly compounded the humanitarian crisis within Afghanistan, magnifying existing public health challenges and underscoring the urgent need to address the unmet healthcare needs of the returning population. The proposed project aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with both communicable and non-communicable diseases among returnees and mitigate the health impact of drought among affected populations. ltbrgtAs of March 9, 2024, the recorded number of returnees surpasses 534,000, with 335,300 individuals entering through Torkham and 176,600 through Spinboldok. Projections indicate a substantial surge in returnees in the upcoming months, with approximately 720,000 undocumented individuals and 50,000 holders of Assisted Voluntary Repatriation cards expected to return to Afghanistan. On the other hand, the enduring effects of prolonged drought and frequent natural disasters across the country have been deeply felt in recent years. This strain is particularly acute due to the high prevalence of acute malnutrition among children under the age of five and pregnant and lactating women and diseases associated with water scarcity, further intensifying the challenges faced by both returning populations and host communities in the drought affected provinces.  ltbrgtThe influx of returnees will significantly escalate the need for PHC and nutrition services at border points and  areas of return (AoR). However, this surge also intensifies the risk of overcrowding and communicable disease outbreaks. Moreover, the returning population, particularly children under five and PLWs, faces significant health vulnerabilities, SAM, and limited access to crucial services like reproductive health and trauma care due to their living conditions and special needs.In response to the urgent healthcare needs of the returnees and drought affected population, WHO proposes to deploy a package of health interventions, including provision of primary healthcare, reproductive health services, immunization, surveillance, response and control of diseases outbreak, basic emergency and trauma care, basic MHPSS services, as well as nutritional screening and   management of SAM with medical complications and supply of essential medicines. WHO will support 16 Mobile Health Team (MHTs) in 14 priority districts across six provinces (in brackets)   for the  returnees including: Bagrami and Kabul City districts (Kabul), Nurgal  (Kunar), Alingar and Qarghayi Districts  (Laghman) Dara-e-Nur, Jalalabad City, Kot, Kuz Kama, and Rodat Districts (Nangahar). Dasht-e-Archi and Chahar Darah Districts ( Kunduz), Daman District and Kandahar City (Kandahar). These centers will serve as hubs for delivering the PHC services aligned with BPHS) of essential  interventions.ltbrgtAdditionally, WHO will enhance the capacity of PHCs (DH and CHD) in the target districts for returnees to deliver basic and essential trauma care services. This will be achieved through the provision of Basic Emergency Care (BEC) and Mass Casualty Management (MCM) training to 72 frontline health workers, along with the provision of necessary equipment and supplies.  ltbrgtFurthermore, WHO will strengthen infectious disease surveillance among the new returnees by deploying Surveillance Support Teams to facilitate verification, control, and response to outbreaks of infectious diseases.  ltbrgtIn addition to offering outpatient nutrition services as part of the PHC package, WHO will provide essential supplies and needed equipment to 35 IPD-SAM centers in the target communities. WHO will procure high-quality essential medicines kits, supplies, and consumables, encompassing 42 PHC kits containing the essential medicines required for health facilities, as well as kits for infectious disease outbreak response and 20 Trauma and Emergency Surgical Kits. ltbrgtlt/pgt