Emergency Response to Returnees
Project Overview:
Since January 2025, HOPA has been implementing emergency food assistance activities for vulnerable returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kandahar province, under the support of WFP. The response aims to address immediate food insecurity through Cash-Based Transfers (CBT) in urban settings and High-Energy Biscuits (HEB) in rural and hard-to-reach locations. The focus remains on facilitating dignity, nutritional sufficiency, and resilience among returnee populations with limited access to livelihoods.
Locations:
o Kandahar City (KTC), 5th District: Cash distributions
o Takhtapul District (RC): HEB distributions
Objective: The goal is to provide immediate relief to vulnerable individuals by offering cash support and nutritional aid in the form of HEB. The project is intended to ease the daily struggles of families affected by economic instability.
Status: As of now, the distributions are still ongoing, with continuous monitoring and support being provided.
Summary of Report:
This report provides an overview of the distribution activities that have taken place thus far in May. The ongoing project involves two main components:
1. Cash Distribution at Kandahar City (KTC), 5th District:
o Amount Distributed: 12,301,800 AFN (USD 172,084.33)
o Number of Beneficiaries: 2,121 households
o Amount per Beneficiary: Each household receives 5,800 AFN to support their daily living expenses.
2. HEB Distribution at Takhtapul District (RC lock):
o Total HEB Distributed: 7.2324 MT (300g per beneficiary)
o Number of Beneficiaries: 24,108 individuals have received HEB packages to address their immediate nutritional needs.
The distributions have proceeded smoothly, and beneficiary feedback has been positive, with staff managing the process efficiently.
Challenges and Mitigation Measures:
Gender & Inclusion:
o 38% of cash recipients were female-headed households.
o Separate queues were maintained for women to ensure privacy and dignity.
Protection:
o No protection incidents reported. All distribution sites had focal persons assigned for GBV referral if needed.
Environmental Safeguards:
o Waste (packaging from HEBs) collected at all sites; beneficiaries were oriented on disposal.
Recommendations:
1. Expand Distribution Hours:
To reduce congestion, consider evening hours or two shifts per day.
2. Community Messaging Improvements:
Deploy mobile loudspeakers or SMS alerts in local languages to inform communities ahead of time.
3. Staff Training Refreshers:
Conduct refresher training on accountability to affected populations (AAP) and CRM.
4. Transportation Support for RC Sites:
For extremely remote beneficiaries, consider mobile HEB units or coordination with MoRR for onward travel support.
Conclusion:
The May 2025 cycle of the Emergency Response to Returnees project successfully delivered both cash and nutritional assistance to the most vulnerable populations in Kandahar. With high efficiency, robust coordination, and a strong accountability framework, the project continued to fulfill its strategic objectives under SO1 of WFP. Future rounds should incorporate recommended adjustments to further improve the quality, accessibility, and impact of the response.
