Call for Proposals: Targeted Food Security Response in Herat Region (Afghanistan)

The World Food Programme is inviting applications to deliver targeted humanitarian assistance in Herat and surrounding provinces in Afghanistan. The initiative focuses on food security, cash-based support, and emergency response for vulnerable populations facing severe food insecurity and malnutrition. Selected partners will implement hotspot, contingency, and returnee response interventions.

Overview of the Opportunity

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking implementing partners to support urgent humanitarian operations in western Afghanistan, particularly in the Herat region.

This initiative responds to a worsening food security crisis, where millions face hunger and rising malnutrition, especially children and vulnerable households.

The program adopts a targeted, data-driven approach to ensure life-saving assistance reaches those most in need.

Key Focus Areas

Food Security and Assistance

• Direct food distribution (in-kind)
• Cash-based transfers for food access

Hotspot Response

• Targeting severely food-insecure households
• Focus on families with malnourished mothers and children
• Assistance duration: Up to 3 months (reduced rations)

Contingency Response

• Rapid response to disasters and emergencies
• Includes earthquakes, floods, and displacement
• Assistance duration: 2 months (full rations)

Returnee Response

• Support for families returning via Islam Qala
• Cash-based assistance for immediate needs
• Assistance duration: 1 month (full rations)

Program Objectives

• Address acute food insecurity and hunger
• Prevent and reduce malnutrition
• Provide rapid emergency response to shocks
• Support vulnerable populations including children and mothers
• Strengthen humanitarian coordination and delivery

How the Program Works

Hotspot Identification

• Early warning data used every 2 months
• High-risk areas prioritized for intervention

Targeted Assistance

• Focus on the most vulnerable households
• Flexible delivery: food or cash transfers

Adaptive Response Model

• Adjusts based on needs, funding, and operational feasibility
• Balances chronic and emergency food insecurity

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Humanitarian organizations
• Implementing partners with field capacity

Key Requirements

• Experience in food security and humanitarian response
• Operational presence or capacity in Afghanistan
• Ability to deliver cash and/or in-kind assistance
• Strong monitoring and reporting systems

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

Projects should:

• Deliver targeted food or cash assistance
• Address malnutrition and urgent food needs
• Use data-driven targeting approaches
• Support emergency and contingency responses
• Align with WFP humanitarian standards

How to Apply

Follow these steps:

1. Review WFP partnership requirements
2. Develop a proposal aligned with program components
3. Demonstrate operational and technical capacity
4. Define implementation plan and targeting approach
5. Submit the application through WFP’s official channels

What to Expect After Selection

• Partnership agreement with WFP
• Coordination with humanitarian clusters
• Implementation of food and cash assistance programs
• Monitoring, reporting, and evaluation
• Ongoing adaptation to field conditions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Lack of experience in humanitarian food assistance
• Weak targeting or beneficiary selection strategy
• Inadequate logistics or delivery capacity
• Ignoring local context and security conditions
• Poor monitoring and accountability mechanisms

Tips for a Strong Application

• Highlight experience in emergency response
• Demonstrate capacity for rapid deployment
• Use data-driven targeting methods
• Ensure strong coordination with local stakeholders
• Provide clear implementation timelines and outputs

Why This Initiative Matters

Saves Lives

Provides immediate food assistance to vulnerable populations

Addresses Malnutrition

Targets households with high nutrition risks

Supports Crisis Response

Enables rapid action during emergencies

Strengthens Humanitarian Systems

Promotes coordinated and efficient aid delivery

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main goal of this initiative?

To provide targeted humanitarian food assistance to vulnerable populations in Afghanistan.

2. Who is the implementing agency?

The World Food Programme (WFP).

3. What types of assistance are provided?

Food aid (in-kind) and cash-based transfers.

4. Which areas are covered?

Herat and surrounding provinces, including border response at Islam Qala.

5. Who are the target beneficiaries?

Severely food-insecure households and families at risk of malnutrition.

6. How long does assistance last?

Between 1 and 3 months depending on the response type.

7. Who can apply?

NGOs and organizations with experience in humanitarian food assistance.

Conclusion

This WFP call for partners represents a critical opportunity to deliver life-saving assistance in one of the world’s most severe food crises. By focusing on targeted, flexible, and data-driven interventions, the program ensures that limited resources are directed toward those most in need, helping to reduce hunger, prevent malnutrition, and support vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.