Emergency Lifesaving Cash for Food to vulnerable families in Ghor Provinces of Afghanistan World Vision International-Afghanistan (WVA) will provide Unconditional cash for food transfers to the most vulnerable households in Dolayna and Firoz Koh (Chaqcharan) districts in Ghor province. WVA will follow FSAC Cash for food Transfer value of 75% of food basket cost which translates to USD72/ month * 6 months (Rounds)* 1,557 HHs (10,900 individuals – 1,557 men, 2,336 women, 3,893 girls, and 3,114 boys). WVA is using FSAC's recommended 75% Cash Transfer value ($72) for the AHF 3rd reservation allocation, based on the current Food basket value of $96 approved by CVWG.

Cash modality was selected because the local markets within WVA program locations are very functional, and food items are available and accessible by cash transfer beneficiaries. Cash modality gives more flexibility for beneficiaries to prioritize and diversify their food choices. WVI recent PDM reports all indicate beneficiary’s high preference for cash than in-kind food. Commodity/Value Voucher modality has not been selected due to the high fraud risks such as sale of vouchers or food items at less value and possibilities of vendors colluding to exchange the vouchers with cash at lesser value.

 WVA uses the FSAC standards vulnerability criteria matrix to select the most vulnerable and insecure households. WVA also applies  community-based targeting approach, through the participant selection committee consisting of CDCs, Community elders, and other stakeholders. The local community-based committee provides transparent feedback to non-eligible community members and the eligibility criteria be communicated to all community members. The selection committee uses a vulnerability criteria matrix designed to select the most vulnerable and insecure households, defined as those who rank high on a matrix that includes the following criteria:

1) Women or child Headed households without an adult male
2) HHs with a dependency ratio of 7 or more.
3) HHs with no adult male of working age or adult working women
4) Persons with a disability, chronic illnesses or elder as head of household
5) Households with poor asset holdings
6) Households residing with or hosting other households
7) Households living in makeshifts shelter
8) Households relying on borrowing, begging
9) Household relying on casual labour by one member
10) Households without any source of Livelihoods/income generation activities
11) Households with one or more members having disabilities or chronic illnesses/excluding Head of Household
12) Households referred by protection agencies Any bias in beneficiary selection is addressed through beneficiary verification led by WVA’s MEAL team.

The overall objective of this project is to respond to the acute food needs of 10,900 individuals in the Dolayna and Firoz Koh districts of Ghor Province and enable them to meet their food and nutritional needs, reducing mortality and illness because of food shortages. 

WVA does not anticipate any major barriers to obtaining approvals from the local government and highly expects cooperation from local authorities and engaged stakeholders. WVA has substantive experience in the implementation of life-saving cash for food assistance and has in place robust systems and tools for the efficient implementation of this proposed project.

WVA has a Long-Term Agreement with reputable and experienced Finance Service Providers/Hawala agent Mustafa Khafi P/L. Cash Transfers are made to beneficiaries, in a safe, efficient, and transparent manner. WVA Data protection policies are applied and WVA project beneficiaries report satisfaction with their cash distribution services of the FSP. WVA has also established cordial relationships with local authorities and community-based structures within the selected province. 

Cash Transfer feasibility risks and mitigation has been factored in the design of this intervention. WVA has robust risks and compliance systems. As per the contractual terms, the FSP currently workin