BHAKARI Monthly Updates January 2021

Mercy Corps and USAID engagement is a key aspect of the updates. Bi-weekly calls with USAID Field Representatives, Chip and Rajesh, were conducted on January 13 and 27. The main topics discussed included baseline data collection updates, anticipated funding scenarios, and progress in setting up Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) mechanisms. Implementation Letters and next steps on coordination with the Ministry of Finance, Agriculture, and Livestock Development (MoFAGA) were also discussed. Additionally, difficulties in operating in Jumla and the need to explore swapping BHAKARI vehicles with other USAID projects were addressed. Knowledge management is another critical area of focus. A draft of the partner landscape review, led by an independent consultant, was completed in January. Finalization of the review is expected to be completed during the first week of February, pending Mercy Corps' feedback. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the partner landscape in the BHAKARI project area. Program start-up activities are progressing, with several key milestones achieved in January. The Implementation Letter was signed on January 22, 2021, and community selection was finalized, with 262 communities selected for the project. Government validation is complete in all Palikas except for Mugu, while ward validation is ongoing in the first half of January. Integrated Community Assessment and Action Planning (ICAAP) training was conducted in Mugu and Jumla Districts from January 4-8, 2021, and data collection is ongoing in several districts. Household registration preparation is underway, including finalization of the registration tool via Commcare and contracting Square One to supervise the household registration process. CommCare training was completed on January 20th for the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team. Baseline data collection started in a phased approach and is expected to be completed by February 28, 2021. Data collection is currently ongoing in several districts, including Surkhet, Dailekh, Jumla, and Mugu. The Project Advisory Committee is also making progress, with a draft Statement of Work (SOW) reviewed by Chip and Rajesh and expected to be finalized in coordination with MoFAGA in the first week of February. Staff hiring is complete, with the vast majority of the BHAKARI team on-board to accelerate implementation. A consultant selection process was initiated to conduct the Early Warning and Weather Information Assessment in BHAKARI's working districts and municipalities. Pre-consultation meetings were conducted with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) to coordinate and collaborate on strengthening the Early Warning and Weather Information system. Several other key activities are also underway, including the development of a GESI Integration strategy in Productive Water, the launch of a six-part weekly GESI training, and the setup of Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) mechanisms. The Agriculture Strategy Review is also underway, including appraisal of interventions and approaches. Social & Behaviour Change Communications (SBCC) initiatives are being implemented, including the release of initial COVID messaging on Viamo's 3-2-1 platform. A central-level Technical Working Group was created and convened for the first meeting in late January to ensure close collaboration between component leads. Coordination and sharing activities are also ongoing, with BHAKARI team members participating in the provincial-level Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committee meeting and sharing a brief on BHAKARI. Key management issues are also being addressed, including risks related to ICAAPs, community selection, and vehicle maintenance. The BHAKARI team has established a Risk Register/Issues log to track and manage these risks.