The third phase of the emergency response mechanism in Afghanistan is completed
Published: May 20, 2014 Reading time: 2 minutes
Kabul, 08.04.2014 - The Emergency Response Mechanism (ERM), funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), has continued to respond to emergencies triggered by on-going conflict or sudden-onset natural disasters that occur in Afghanistan. The ERM programme has finished its third phase and has brought about a number of achievements.
The ERM concept (including the ERM consortium and ERAM programme from NRC) aims to increase humanitarian access and provide rapid humanitarian assistance to the immediate needs of communities affected by natural disaster and conflict. To this end, the ERM shares the information collected on the disaster and reduces its impact through a need assessment and an adapted response, both in a timely and effective manner.
From August 2013 until March 2014, the ERM has been intervening to respond to the immediate needs of communities affected by both natural disasters and conflict. During this period, the ERM consortium has reached a total of 45 968 beneficiaries.
In Ghor and Badakhshan provinces, the ongoing armed conflict between the government forces and opposition groups leads to the displacement of thousands of people. In Badakhshan, the ERM teams intervened by providing food assistance and distributing Non Food Items (NFIs), such as jerry cans, plates, blankets and emergency shelters (tents) to 2625 IDPs, while 7385 people displaced by both conflict and drought in Ghor received NFIs and unconditional cash transfer.
Throughout the year, flash floods and floods hit several villages in the provinces covered by the ERM, in particular in Kabul and in Ghor, damaging many houses, assets and livelihoods. The ERM consortium assisted 1687 affected population through NFI, emergency shelter and unconditional cash transfer.
In addition to providing assistance to the people’s basic needs, the ERM implemented disaster risk reduction and mitigation infrastructure projects, throughcommunity-based initiatives. These activities, which benefit over 34000 people, also aimed to further increase the population’s resilience. In total, 27 projects were implemented in 6 provinces covered by the ERM.
The ERM consortium’s partners reaffirm their commitment to the vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and will continue to provide assistance during emergency crises.
The ERM was launched in 2011 and has been implemented by a consortium of four International NGOs: Action Contre la Faim, Mission East, People in Need, and SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL. They all have an extensive experience working in Afghanistan and adhere to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence and transparency. The ERM concept will continue in 2014 with different partners and with an enhanced geographic coverage area.