West and Central Africa
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Why you need a plan A, B and C: Using cash in hard-to-reach contexts
Blog Post
Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) can be a valuable response choice in hard-to-reach areas, but it must be properly adapted to context with sufficient investment given to preparedness. Mirko Tommasi explains how preparing multiple plans, being flexible and ready to change plans fast and frequently is crucial for success in challenging contexts.
CVA for people on the move: Time for a new vision?
Webinar recording
This event presented the main findings of our recently released study People are on the move: Can the world of CVA keep up? Analysis of the use of CVA in the context of human mobility in the Americas. Additionally, invited guests discussed key issues on facing the topic of human mobility and CVA and answered questions from the audience. The event included two videos’ interventions: one...
Changes to US and UN economic sanctions may simplify CVA implementation
Blog Post
Recent changes to the UN and US economic sanctions regimes promise to improve cash transfer process across international borders, but changes might not be as quick or comprehensive as we would hope. We put eight questions to Rory Crew, who has looked into the matter for you.
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Cash & voucher lessons learned workshop OFDA/ DG ECHO
Report
An overview of discussions of the Cash & voucher lessons learned workshop OFDA/ DG ECHO – Niamey 09 &10 Dec 2010.
Helpdesk Research Report: Political Economy of Cash Transfers
Report
Cash transfers are a form of social assistance in which money or cash-like instruments (e.g. vouchers) are distributed to vulnerable individuals or households. They can vary in targeting (eligibility requirements, such as age, poverty, and disability) or conditionality (specific actions required to...
Responding to High Food Prices: Evidence from a Voucher Programme in Burkina Faso
Report
In February 2009, WFP launched its first food voucher operation in Africa, to address food security in an urban environment where food is available but beyond the reach of many because of high food prices. Vulnerable segments of the population, who were spending most of their budgets on food, risked...
Real Time Evaluation: Project ADVANCE Niger, Final Report
Report
The 2009 agricultural season in Niger was marked by dramatic crop production deficits. The most recent drought in Niger has led to an escalation in the price of locally-produced staple grains in the region. While demand in local markets remains high, as is normal right before the lean season, many...
Cash Transfers in Post-conflict Contexts
Report
This ODI project briefing looks at the implementation for the design of cash programmes in post-conflict or fragile states, compared to those of peaceful and stable countries. It highlights examples from Sierra Leone and Nepal drawing lessons from existing programmes, examines the contribution to poverty...
An independent evaluation of Concern Worldwide’s emergency response in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: Responding to displacement with vouchers and fairs
Case Study
In late 2008, escalated fighting among rebels and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARCD) provoked renewed and widespread displacement in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In response to the unfolding crisis, Concern Worldwide implemented the project Emergency Assistance to Newly...
Niger: Food Security and Safety Nets
Case Study
From the perspective of social protection, this study is designed to synthesize considerable existing analysis, review food and nutrition security policies and programs in Niger, and provide an action plan for strengthening the existing system and developing an effective food security and safety net...
Can Cash Transfers Promote Food Security in the Context of Volatile Commodity Prices? A Review of Empirical Evidence
Report
This working paper synthesizes the theoretical and empirical literature on the use of cash transfers in response to food crisis situations, with particular attention to their use in situations that are exacerbated by volatile, often inflationary, commodity prices. The paper is designed for policymakers...
How cash transfers can improve the nutrition of the poorest children: Evaluation of a pilot safety net project in southern Niger
Case Study
This report presents key findings from an evaluation of Save the Children’s pilot project to give cash transfers to 1,500 of the poorest households in Tessaoua district, Maradi region, Niger. Its findings will be of interest to NGOs, governments and donors involved in planning and...
From Food Crisis to Fair Trade: Livelihoods analysis, protection and support in emergencies
Report
This document aims to collate and analyse experiences of livelihoods programming in emergencies. It provides an overview of what livelihoods programming is and gives examples of the range of interventions that are possible in emergencies. Different types of livelihoods programmes are then described...
Cash Transfers for Disaster Risk Reduction in Niger: A Feasibility Study
Case Study
This HPG study report, commissioned by CARE, examines the appropriateness, cost-effectiveness and feasibility of cash transfer programming as part of a disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategy in Niger. It gives a general livelihood context of Niger and then looks at the feasibility and appropriateness,...
Cash transfers in Sierra Leone: Appropriate, affordable and feasible?
Case Study
This paper is one of a series of outputs from ODI’s research study (2006–09) “Cash Transfers and their Role in Social Protection”. The study aims to compare cash with other forms of transfers, identifying where cash transfers may be preferable, the preconditions for cash transfers to work well,...
Voucher for work: An option for emergencies?
Report
This Oxfam GB evaluation report gathers successes, constraints and lessons learned during the implementation of two voucher programmes in Mali and Niger, following the food crisis in 2005. It begins by examining the appropriateness of the programme decision-making, and then looks at the two programme...
Seed vouchers and fairs: A manual for seed-based agricultural recovery in Africa
Guidelines and Tools
This manual describes a new (2002) approach to post-emergency seed distribution in Africa, where farmers receive not free seed but vouchers that can be exchanged for seed at a specially organized seed fair. Seed fairs rely on commercial seed firms (where they are in operation), as well as local seed...
Cash Transfers in Emergencies: Evaluating Benefits and Assessing Risks
Report
In terms of both theory and practice, there appears to be a strong case for cash-based responses to food emergencies where the supply and market conditions are appropriate. Amartya Sen’s work on entitlements offers a solid theoretical base for cash transfers, and the practical experience so far, limited...
