Partnering with FSPs to Deliver Cash in Nepal: Top Considerations

Cash transfers are a proven way to help disaster-affected communities flexibly meet urgent basic needs. Several humanitarian agencies are planning cash transfers to support tens of thousands of Nepali earthquake survivors. While initial responses will likely rely on direct cash in envelopes, cash transfers at a larger scale will require strong collaboration with Nepal’s financial service providers (FSPs), including banks, remittance agencies and mobile money/transfer providers.

The quality of partnerships between an FSP and a humanitarian agency affects the quality of cash transfer programs. While no emergency program or partnership is seamless, flagging and addressing major issues early on can significantly improve satisfaction for everyone involved. The following partnership and risk management suggestions are compiled from previous humanitarian responses and can guide initial conversations with FSPs