Welcome to the State of the World’s Cash 2023 report. This is the third report in the series following the first in 2018 and the second in 2020.
This flagship publication represents a neutral and authoritative assessment of the current context of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) as part of humanitarian aid. Packed with analysis and reflections, it pulls together the views of people involved in CVA policy and practice from around the world, synthesizes research from the last three years and cross-references findings with evidence around the views of people in crisis.
What’s the State of the World’s Cash 2023 Report about?
The State of the World’s Cash 2023 provides a ‘state of play’ in terms of the current use of CVA and details what needs to happen to unlock its full potential. It outlines progress made and challenges to be overcome. It explains strategic debates and provides clear recommendations to accelerate progress. Fundamentally, this report is about how to design and deliver more effective and people-centred aid. It is for anyone, and everyone involved in CVA or humanitarian response more broadly – from policy makers, practitioners, donors, academics to CVA champions and advocates.
Three key themes emerged from the State of the World’s Cash:
More and better CVA: the use of CVA has increased, the quality improved but there’s still a long way to go
Constant adjustment: Needs are changing and perspectives evolving
Structural constraints: Greater systems change needed for CVA to meet its full potential
Foreword and overview
The foreword and overview remind us of the scale of humanitarian needs around the world and underscore the critical role of CVA in both mitigating and responding to crisis. These sections draw attention to key issues in the report, celebrate where progress has been made and challenges the lack of action in others. They call on us to use the evidence and recommendations to engage in critical debates, take swift action and accelerate progress.
I believe change is possible if we switch from intention to action and if we work together. Collectively we can do better.
Chapter 1: People-centred CVA
The State of the World’s Cash 2020 report found that humanitarian actors were not doing enough to listen to communities and involve them in CVA design. Three years on, there is a growing commitment to putting people at the centre of CVA and more attention is being given to issues of inclusion, with more focus on people with disabilities, gender, displaced populations and people on the move. But challenges remain – read on for ideas on how these could be overcome.
Chapter 2: CVA volume and growth
The use of CVA has increased each year since 2015. In 2022, US$7.9 billion transferred as cash or vouchers to crisis affected people. However, CVA still only accounts for 21% of international humanitarian assistance globally compared to 30–40% if it was used wherever feasible and appropriate. This chapter investigates the issues and challenges limiting the growth of CVA and explores what needs to be done to realise the full potential of CVA.
Chapter 3: Locally led response
Despite growing focus on CVA and locally-led response since 2020, major changes is still lacking. Conceptualizations of localization and locally-led response continue to differ, most notably between local and international actors. There are perceived tensions between locally-led CVA and large-scale response – these are resolvable. This chapter shows where change is happening and what’s causing it to stall.
Chapter 4: Cash Coordination
This report records some progress on longstanding challenges associated with cash coordination. In March 2022, the IASC endorsed a new Cash Coordination model which emphasizes the importance of a people-centred approach and locally-led response, including consideration of linkages with social protection systems. But has progress been fast or far reaching enough? Dive in to hear views from a wide range of stakeholders.
Chapter 5: Cash preparedness and capacity
Preparedness and capacity at individual, organizational and system levels is vital if the ambitions to increase the scale, quality, and effectiveness of CVA are to be met. But needs are evolving rapidly. The climate crisis, economic volatility, new technologies and other factors are driving demand for new skills and ways of working. This chapter brings them all together and identifies important gaps and priorities for investment.
Chapter 6: Linkages with Social Protection
This report shows that progress has been made since 2020, with COVID-19 accelerating improved linkages between CVA and social protection systems. The report finds that a ‘one-size fits all’ approach does not work; instead we must carefully consider context, skill sets, understanding and more. Attention is drawn to the possibilities and difficulties of linkages in crisis contexts as well as the need for humanitarian and development actors to work more closely together.
Chapter 7: Data and digitalization
For the first time, this report has a full chapter on data and digitalization. It finds that the use of digital payments has increased, giving the possibility of faster payments, larger scale responses, new ways of accessing hard-to-reach areas, potential for more payment choice, plus new opportunities related to targeting and interaction. It includes discussions around interoperability and portability, data risks, cyber security and the need for improved humanitarian and private sector collaboration.
Chapter 8: CVA design
Since 2020 the use of multi-purpose cash has increased as well as the use of CVA across all sectors. But progress is not to the extent expected and complementary programming is not being adopted systematically. Additionally, modality choices continue to be unduly influenced by habits, perceptions, inertia and donor preferences. This chapter also looks into financial inclusion issues, and whether some technical processes are at times hindering people-centred CVA.
Chapter 9: Climate change and environmental considerations in CVA
The impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are major factors in many ongoing and complex crises. How can CVA be used to mitigate and respond to climate crisis? What’s the carbon footprint of CVA and how can it be minimized? Currently there are more questions than answers and a shortage of specific policy positions. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the issues, debates and serves as a baseline for future progress.
Methodology and acronyms
Research for the State of the World’s Cash 2023 draws on the perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders working in different operational contexts. It also involved an extensive literature review. This section also details the acronyms used within the report.
Acknowledgements
Hundreds of people were involved in the production of the report. Views were share via surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. An advisory group helped shape and review work, as the research and writing team analysed data and prepared report. Editors, translators, designers and many more were also involved. Donor support provided the funds that made it possible.
Downloads
The report is available to read offline.
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Download the complete State of the World's Cash Report 2023.
Download the complete State of the World's Cash Report 2023.
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The abridged version of the report introduces the report and it's three key themes, and then goes on to provide a 1-2 page summary for each chapter.
The abridged version of the report introduces the report and it's three key themes, and then goes on to provide a 1-2 page summary for each chapter.
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This PowerPoint presentation enables you to share the findings of the State of the World's Cash 2023 with colleagues and networks. It presents information according to the report's three main overarching themes.
This PowerPoint presentation enables you to share the findings of the State of the World's Cash 2023 with colleagues and networks. It presents information according to the report's three main overarching themes.
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This in-depth PowerPoint presents the findings of State of the World's Cash 2023 chapter by chapter. It is not designed to be used in its entirety – please feel free to select just the slides you need.
This in-depth PowerPoint presents the findings of State of the World's Cash 2023 chapter by chapter. It is not designed to be used in its entirety – please feel free to select just the slides you need.
Citing the State of the World’s Cash 2023
If you wish to reference the ‘State of the World’s Cash 2023’, here’s a guide on how to cite it using the most widely recognized referencing styles.
APA | CALP Network. (2023, November 15). The State of the World’s Cash 2023. CALP Network. https://www.calpnetwork.org/collection/the-state-of-the-worlds-cash-2023-report/ |
MLA | CALP Network. The State of the World’s Cash 2023. 15 November 2023, CALP Network, www.calpnetwork.org/collection/the-state-of-the-worlds-cash-2023-report/. |
Chicago | CALP Network. The State of the World’s Cash 2023. CALP Network. November 15, 2023. Accessed [insert access date], https://www.calpnetwork.org/collection/the-state-of-the-worlds-cash-2023-report/. |
Harvard | CALP Network (2023) The State of the World’s Cash 2023. Available at: https://www.calpnetwork.org/collection/the-state-of-the-worlds-cash-2023-report/ (Accessed: insert access date). |
Other resources
More State of the World's Cash 2023 resources.
The State of the World’s Cash 2023: Conversation Toolkit
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Find all the resources to share ‘The State of the World’s Cash 2023’ within your network, organization, or among your colleagues.
Humanitarian cash assistance at a crossroads, warns new report
News
Press release: The State of the World's Cash 2023
The Launch of the State of World’s Cash Report 2023
Webinar recording
Watch the recording of the global launch event for CALP's 2023 edition of The State of the World’s Cash report.