ReliefWeb

1. General Overview:

I. The last winter season (2017/2018), was mild as compared to 2017 but with severe cold temperatures. Minus 14 degree was reported in Badakhshan, Bamyan, Daykundi, Paktyia and Ghazni while temperature in Kabul went to minus 8 degree during the winter. There were few incidents of avalanches and limited snow fall.

II. For the 2017/2018 winterization response, the Cluster assisted 376,068 individuals including 304,605 individuals through cash assistance out of 451,794 individuals assessed and selected. Additional 188,126 blankets were distributed. This minimize negative effects on the most vulnerable population including negative coping mechanisms associated with early marriage, child labor and other protection concerns (UNHCR PDM).

III. While the number of conflict displacements and returns are low in 2018 as compared to 2016 and 2017, some families are still living in worsening shelter conditions compounded with the economic situation as well as general situation in Afghanistan results to compelling humanitarian needs. Moreover, Afghanistan consists of 70% mountainous areas at high altitude making populations located in these areas more vulnerable to winter conditions.

IV. According to IOM-HAP assessments, 39,453 individuals whose houses were partially damaged due to flood are in need to repair their damaged shelters. Particularly in Muqur district of Badghis province, flash floods damaged almost 80 percent of homes and water sources. 1 Some 14,196 individuals are in need to repair their partially damaged shelters.

V. Additionally, over 250,000 people displaced by ongoing drought situation are still living in makeshift conditionsthat do not enable dignity, privacy and protection from the elements in Herat and Badghis. These families would require additional assistance to support them through the winter months (Inter-agency assessment, REACH assessment 2018). The cluster is making all efforts to mobilize resources including through the AHF reserved allocation of $3 million but this will only address some of the current immediate shelter and NFI needs of drought displacement.

VI. As per the 2018-2021 HRP and Humanitarian needs overview and coupled with the drought displacement, the Cluster plans to support 581,389 most vulnerable individuals including those that are currently displaced due to drought. Assistance will target mountainous areas at high altitude through mainly cash based assistance. About 20% most vulnerable (116,278 individuals) will be supported to upgrade existing shelters in poor conditions including installation of solarized verandas to reduce the cost for heating.
Particularly in Herat, approximately 1,500 most vulnerable families will be assisted through cash for rent for host family arrangements should conditions allow.

VII. Cluster partners report increased child mortality associated with poor shelter conditions and lack of adequate health care. Reports (HMIS, 2018) indicate U5 mortality rates of 2/10,000 in IDP camps, exceeding the emergency threshold. In Herat IDP settlements 48.6 per cent of household’s experience cases of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) and 20 per cent experience respiratory tract, chest and skin infections. The situation is deteriorating and multi-faceted (incl. negative coping mechanisms associated with early marriage and child labor)

VIII. According to the August 2018 Whole Afghanistan Assessment (WOA) conducted by REACH in all 34 Provinces including drought displacement in Herat and Badghis, 57% in the West, 42% in Northeast followed by 28% in the North and 24% in the Central Regions are people in need winterization assistance.

IX. Winterization is one of the Core Focus Areas of the DiREC Policy Framework and an integrated part of the ES/NFI Cluster Strategy. UNHCR is the ES/NFI Cluster Lead Agency with support from IOM as the Co-chair.

X. In coordination with the government, approximately 83,056 families (581,392 individuals) are expected to be affected by the impending winter conditions. The projections are based REACH multisector survey which informed the 2018-2021 HRP planning and the WOA results reflected mainly for Herat and Badghis.

XI. As winter temperatures including wet weather approaches, preparedness and response measures are vital to providing life-saving assistance in mitigating modality, protection risks, protection from elements and other health risks that are associated with the harsh weather conditions.

XII. A timely winterization response will save lives, prevent and mitigate protection risks (especially for women and children) and assist to address the extreme weather-related causes of poor health outcomes, overcrowded conditions, negative coping mechanisms and secondary displacements, amongst others