Unconditional multipurpose cash transfers to vulnerable Congolese households in Mbulula health zone, Kongolo territory, Tanganyika province to ensure access to basic needs and services The principal objective of this project is to assist vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host community members affected by the recent population movements in Mbulula health zone, Kongolo territory, in Tanganyika province in access basic needs and services through monthly unconditional, Multi-Purpose Cash (MPC) transfers. The proposed activity targets 3,700 IDP and vulnerable host community households (4049 men, 4464 women, 6674 boys, 7013 girls) with the objective to reduce vulnerabilities and improve living conditions of beneficiaries. 

In summary this intervention has the following objectives:

1. UNICEF will provide multipurpose cash assistance to 3,700 IDP and host community households for 4 months to improve their ability to cover the basic needs of the households and the needs of children and improve access to basic services, including improvements to the short-term food security of beneficiary households
2. Improve living conditions and reduce vulnerabilities of IDP and most vulnerable households in Mbulula through MPC transfers 
3. UNICEF and implementing partner (IP) will organize sensitization sessions for community members to ensure that crises affected populations are better informed and less exposed to protection risks 

In line with the multisectoral approach of the HF’s strategy, UNICEF will integrate the MPC intervention and complement the project with in-kind assistance interventions/packages funded under UNIRR, UNICEF’s rapid response program, to ensure that the basic needs of the households are fully covered. As of December 30 2021, UNICEF has already started its in-kind distributions and assisted almost 500 vulnerable households in Mbulula.

UNICEF will coordinate and share information with CWG and clusters at national and local level.

The proposed intervention also aims to support and strengthen community structures through the revitalization of CACs (Cellules d’Animation Communautaire - CAC) and networks of community workers (Relais Communautaires - RECO) to enhance the engagement of the community supporting the design and implementation of the program. UNICEF will also utilize the CAC structures to collect feedback and grievances of beneficiary households and conduct community sensitization. 

Before commencing activities, UNICEF will inform and receive approval of the official Territory Administrators and Local Community Leaders and at provide information back to Local Authorities to ensure ownership of the program at local level.

UNICEF will work with a I/NGO implementing partner organizing beneficiary and community sensitization, targeting data collection, organizing phone and SIM card distributions and process monitoring. 

In line with the “do no harm principle” UNICEF will organize sessions with the local community members to ensure that protection risks due to GBV, SEA, and COVID 19 are minimized.

UNICEF promotes the use of Social Safety Nets (SSN) to improve the resilience of communities and sustain the positive outcomes of humanitarian cash interventions for longer periods through cash transfers. In line with the Nexus approach and to establish linkages to longer term support mechanisms for the community, based on the availability funds, UNICEF will consider including the same households into a shock responsive social safety net after the conclusion of the intervention in Mbulula territory.