Risk
The CALP Network’s State of the World’s Cash report found that the perception that CVA is riskier than other forms of aid was one of the main barriers to CVA being routinely used. This concern is linked to the growing emphasis from donors on anti-terrorism and money laundering, and shrinking budgets for humanitarian assistance. The CALP Network’s work under this theme aims to debunk myths, facilitate collaboration, and share learning to ensure that CVA is systematically and equally considered, based on evidence of actual risks across modalities.
Current priorities
A variety of organisations are currently working on CVA and risk. The CALP Network is working to identify synergies among actors, avoid duplication, and define joint priorities that can be better addressed collectively. Together with WFP, the CALP Network is co-leading the risk priority within the Grand Bargain workstream on cash.
Featured content
Podcast: Will risk aversion hold us back from realizing the potential of CVA?
Podcast
Episode 1 of the CashCast, exploring how attitudes to risk have impacted the use of CVA in the Middle East and North Africa region.
CVA and Risks: What happens in the field, stays in the field?
Blog Post
In October 2019 in Douala, Cameroon, the CALP Network facilitated a learning event exploring the risks to beneficiary protection in Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA). This closed-door workshop, held as part of series of meetings and webinars on theme of CVA and risk in different regions, convened 25 humanitarian workers from West and Central Africa representing local and international NGOs, UN...
Webinar: Data sharing in CVA: ethics, ownership and privacy
Event
Thematic lead
Latest
Feasibility Study on Cash Transfer Programming for the Returnees and the Host Communities in Gedeo and West Guji in Ethiopia
Report
This document reveals the outcome of a feasibility study on cash transfer programming targeted for the returnees and the host communities in Gedeo and West Guji Zones.
The major objectives of the study were as follows:
1. Understand general cash transfer environment in Ethiopia
2. Validate the needs of...
Cash & Voucher Assistance and Gender-Based Violence Compendium
Guidelines and Tools
The Compendium is intended as a companion to the 2015 Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action and its companion resource, the GBV Pocket Guide. The guidance was developed through the efforts of 15 organizations who...
Feedback Channels in Cash and Voucher Assistance: How to Apply Best Practices to CVA
Guidelines and Tools
Accountability is at the core of effective humanitarian programming, and it is our duty to ensure that all programs – including those that use CVA to meet outcomes – are responsive to the clients we serve. While CVA is not inherently more risky than other forms of assistance, there are specific...
Reflections and recommendations from evaluations of the 2017 CVA Somalia Drought Response
Report
Improving our response to drought to avert crises through the use of cash and voucher assistance requires us to build on experience. This paper pulls together reflections and recommendations from a review of eight evaluation reports, reviews and studies that were conducted during or after the 2017 drought...
Mitigating Risks of Abuse of Power in Cash Assistance in Cameroon
Report
This document outlines lessons learned from a joint UNHCR/WFP project in Cameroon with the aim to, with Financial Service Providers (FSPs), identify and mitigate the risks of abuse of power in cash assistance, including through mobile money, e-vouchers and cash in hand.
Improving user journeys for humanitarian cash transfers
Report
Humanitarian agencies are increasingly using digital payments, such as mobile money, pre-paid or smartcards, bank cards and electronic vouchers, to deliver cash assistance to affected populations. At the same time, the analysis and use of payment technologies have become more important, as have...
Mitigating Risks of Abuse of Power in Cash Assistance – Workshop Nairobi, Kenya
Report
UNHCR and WFP are implementing a joint project to identify and mitigate risks of abuse of power by private sector service providers in the delivery
of cash assistance to vulnerable populations. The workshop, held in Nairobi on 10-11 December 2018, followed visits to the first two pilot countries,...
Cash Week 2018: Looking around and looking ahead
Blog Post
Cash Week 2018 aimed to do two things: challenge us all to think differently about our work and to carve out a space to do so. In this blog, the CALP Network's Sophie Tholstrup reflects on the key debates from the week, and asks how we can build on this momentum and identify new ways of working to meet...
Mitigating Risks of Abuse of Power in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Case Study
This document outlines lessons learned from a joint UNHCR/WFP project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the aim to, with Financial Service Providers (FSPs), identify and mitigate the risks of abuse of power in cash assistance, including through cash in hand, pre-paid cards and mobile money.
Mitigating Risks Of Abuse Of Power In Cash Assistance In The Democratic Republic Of Congo
Report
This document outlines lessons learned from a joint UNHCR/WFP project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the aim to, with Financial Service Providers (FSPs), identify and mitigate the risks of abuse of power in cash assistance, including through cash in hand, pre-paid cards and mobile money.
Need and greed: corruption risks, perceptions and prevention in humanitarian assistance
Report
Emergency environments present unique corruption risks for agencies operating within them. Relief is delivered amidst weak or absent rule of law, endemic corruption and immense need. The capacities of governments and humanitarian agencies to assist affected people are stretched to the limit, and agencies...
Temporary suspension of the implementation of humanitarian Cash Based Interventions (CBA) in Gedeo and West Guji zones and Mitigation Measures
Report
Temporary suspension of the implementation of humanitarian CBIs to IDPs in West Guji settlement sites by NDRMC-led Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Bule Hora and shared through the Bule Hora coordination forums during the week of August 27, 2018. The suspension was subsequently extended to Gedeo zone,...
Moving Forward with Cash in Haiti: A Review of Cash-Based Interventions during Hurricane Matthew Response in Haiti
Case Study
Mercy Corps, with funding from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) has conducted an extensive review of lessons learned and contextual data, combined with key informant interviews and workshops to compile, analyse and present core lessons from the Hurricane Matthew cash-based...
The Grand Bargain Cash Meetings: what did we learn, how are we doing, where next?
Blog Post
After cash focal points from Grand Bargain signatory organisations gathered in Rome for the second annual meeting of the Grand Bargain cash workstream, we ask how much progress has been made towards commitments, and what remains to be done.
Risk Assessment and Mitigation Requirements for High-Risk Environments
Guidelines and Tools
This document is an annex to the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) Proposal Guidelines that provides supplemental requirements for proposals for programs in high-risk operating environments. USAID/OFDA recognizes that certain operating environments present a heightened risk of...
The Signal Code: Ethical obligations for humanitarian information activities
Guidelines and Tools
Humanitarians today lack sufficient ethical guidance adapted to the realities of humanitarianism in the information age to responsibly navigate the challenges and realities of the digital age. The Signal Code: Ethical Obligations for Humanitarian Information Activities translates and applies the...
Outcome Analysis: Cash transfer programming response to the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone and Liberia
Report
The United States Agency for International Development/Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) supported Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) response to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and Liberia greatly contributed to the recovery of affected communities and households. The CTP response provided a safety net to...
E-Transfer implementation guide
Guidelines and Tools
This updated E-transfer Implementation Guide replaces the original guide published in 2014. In cash transfer programming (CTP), electronic transfers (e-transfers) are a digital replacement for paper vouchers or physical cash. E-transfers are a disbursement mechanism – a way of transferring money, goods...
Shock Responsive Social Protection Systems Research: Synthesis Report
Report
This synthesis report consolidates the evidence and lessons learned from the research, drawing on all the case studies and other outputs, including the literature review as well as policy briefs on systems development and monitoring and evaluation. It highlights the key ways in which social protection...
Lessons Learnt and Recommendations for Cash-for-Shelter Programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Report
This document provides an overview of how cash and voucher assistance is being used by shelter partners in DRC and details the lessons learnt to-date. It goes on to put forward recommendations and opportunities to strengthen cash and market-based programming in the shelter/housing sector there. An...