Episode 3.5: Risk: it’s inevitable – so what do we do about it?
This episode features insights from:
- Irfan Khan: Director of Humanitarian and International Partnerships at Muslim Hands
- Oliver May: Consultant on risk in the humanitarian and development sector
- Sindhy Obias: Executive Director of the Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development (ACCORD)
Key themes explored in this episode:
- The perception that cash assistance carries a higher risk of fraud and diversion compared to other aid modalities, and the lack of evidence to support this view.
- The influence of cognitive biases and perceptions, and the need for a more nuanced understanding of risk in the context of cash.
- The importance of engaging with communities to understand and mitigate risks.
- The need to avoid risk transfer risks to partners and communities.
- The challenges posed by counter terrorism and anti-money laundering regulations which can hinder the delivery of aid.
- The importance of transparency and learning from past experiences, including instances of fraud.
Listen to this episode for valuable insights into identifying, addressing, and potentially reframing our understanding of risk in CVA.
CashCast is an occasional podcast from the CALP Network that looks in depth at the critical debates in humanitarian cash and voucher assistance (CVA).
Host
Karen Peachey
Karen worked with CALP from early 2017 through to August 2024. She has worked in both development and humanitarian contexts since the 1990s. Among many other things, Karen has a keen interest in networks, the power of collective action, and how systems change happens. She recorded this series before leaving CALP.
Featured Guests
Irfan Khan
He is an experienced professional in the international development and humanitarian aid sector, with over 20 years of experience. He has worked in various roles from the field level to his current position as Director of Humanitarian and International Partnerships at Muslim Hands. Irfan has a Master’s degree in International Development Studies from London South Bank University, UK.
Oliver May
Oliver May is a specialist consultant on risk in the humanitarian and development sector. He is passionate about locally-led, pragmatic and collaborative risk management. He was formerly the head of Deloitte’s international development practice, Oxfam’s head of counter-fraud, and an officer in what is now the UK’s National Crime Agency. Oliver is the author of two books supporting aid agencies to manage fraud and counterterrorism risk.
Sindhy Obias
She is a humanitarian and development worker who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development (ACCORD), a Philippine non-government organization. She has 21 years of experience in community-based humanitarian and development work, with extensive involvement in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of both Integrated Risk Management programs and humanitarian response actions in the Philippines. Throughout her career, Ms. Obias has collaborated closely with communities, educational institutions, local and national government agencies, and civil society organizations.
