SOM-SHARP Baseline Report

The primary objective of the baseline assessment was to collect data for all Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and custom indicators before the implementation of the project. This data will help identify benchmarks to set achievable and realistic indicator targets for each level of result in the project's design. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect primary data for the baseline study, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A household survey was conducted to measure household situations on food security, economic status, nutrition, health-seeking behaviors, water, hygiene, and sanitation, and protection. A qualitative tool, including Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informants Interviews (KII), was used as a complementary method to gain an in-depth understanding of the causes and effects of emergency situations on the lives of people and their emergent needs. The survey used a stratified two-stage cluster sampling design with simple random sampling. A total of 3,036 interviews were conducted, with the majority of respondents being female (74%) and 26% being male. Despite cultural challenges in getting more men to participate, CARE ensured fair representation of gender through engagement with local and community-level structures. The educational status of respondents was low, with only 6% having formal schooling, and 57% (female 60%; male 48%) being illiterate or having no educational background. The baseline findings indicate that households have lost their main livelihood sources, leading to the adoption of negative coping mechanisms to meet their household food needs. All food security indicators are low, highlighting the urgent need for households to receive support. Exclusive breastfeeding is as low as 47%, contributing to malnourishment, and IYCF knowledge is generally low among parents, particularly on breastfeeding. The majority of respondents believe that breastmilk is not enough for the child. Regarding women's Minimum Diet Diversity (MDD), 69.0% were at an acceptable level, while 24% were in the poor category and 7% were in the borderline category. There have been outbreaks in the targeted areas, with cases of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), diarrhea, and COVID-19 recorded. Over 52% of respondents cited not having a functioning health facility in their locations, leading to long travel times to access health services. Majority of mothers deliver at home with little support from skilled birth attendants, spiking the risk for maternal and child mortality. On protection, a large number of respondents do not know or understand the various types of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Rape, sexual assault, and physical assault were the most cited GBV cases from all participants. According to participant perception, GBV incidents have been on the rise in the past year, with many feeling unsafe or undignified at home or unable to go to the market alone or work outside the home. Access to water is difficult, with 60% of respondents getting water from unprotected sources, and the majority of people living in the targeted areas getting water from becks or dams. Respondents are able to get an average of 8 litres/person/day from all sources and for all purposes, which is well below the 15L/P/D according to Sphere Standards. General sanitation levels are also weak, with only 15% of the population having handwashing facilities, and the overwhelming majority not using proper handwashing techniques.