Update – Southern Africa Basic needs and services UNHCR supported the inclusion of refugees in national health systems, which were often critically resource-constrained due to the impact of COVID-19. Ongoing support from UNHCR and partners was needed to sustain access to health care, including HIV prevention, care and treatment, and nutrition services for refugees. Continuing food insecurity and reductions in food assistance remained a concern, and UNHCR invested in assessments to generate evidence-based data and improve food and nutrition programming. The use of solar-powered boreholes was intensified in Malawi and Zimbabwe, and the reliability of distribution systems was improved by piloting real-time monitoring technology. In response to the pandemic, investments were made in water, sanitation and hygiene in households as well as in public institutions, including schools, which had a positive effect on infection, prevention and control. Investments in shelter for refugees remained a priority in sites, camps and settlements. In Malawi, shelter construction was of critical importance to decongest the Dzaleka refugee camp. UNHCR supported refugees with shelter materials, including in Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Leveraging technology to enhance access to education, the instant network school programme by UNHCR and the Vodafone Foundation was expanded to 12 schools in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The schools were equipped with digital educational materials and resources, as well as connectivity where available. Pedagogical support was provided to ensure that digital learning tools could be fully utilized in the classroom by teachers, students and community members. Cash-based interventions were integrated in regular programming in 2021 in the Congo (Republic of), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. More than 150,000 vulnerable people received cash assistance to support their subsistence and mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Community empowerment and self-reliance UNHCR ensured accountability to affected populations, including through dedicated regional staff and funding in key areas. For example, additional community-based protection staff will help strengthen feedback mechanisms, protection and participation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in conflict-affected areas of Mozambique. Feedback mechanisms and transparent communication will be enhanced through the use of digital platforms, such as Help.org in South Africa, and inter-agency hotlines in places like Mozambique. In line with the GCR, promoting livelihood initiatives and economic inclusion through multistakeholder engagement remained a priority for the region. Additional resources were committed by development actors towards economic inclusion programmes in the Congo (Republic of), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. NGO partners, in collaboration with UNHCR, also stepped-up resource mobilization for economic inclusion programmes. Through the World Food Programme (WFP)-UNHCR Joint Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub, resources were mobilized for joint programmes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Zambia. Furthermore, UNHCR completed implementation of an African Development Bank funded project in Zimbabwe in December 2021, to incdrease livelihood activities and well-being of refugees, asylum-seekers and host communities. With a focus on including persons of concern in development programmes, UNHCR embarked on several large-scale development projects, including two African Development Bank (AfDB) projects in Mozambique, the first aimed at supporting access to electricity for 4