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Risk

To ensure cash and voucher assistance (CVA) is routinely considered by humanitarian actors when designing an intervention, we must address the perceptions and myths that it is a riskier form of response than others.

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.

Latest

Savings Groups and COVID-19

Guidelines and Tools

COVID-19 poses crucial health and economic risks for Savings Groups as
markets falter, mobility is restricted, and community gathering is restrained. As many members are women, they are likely
to be primary caregivers during the health crisis, which puts them at special risk of additional burdens, as well...

April 2020

WFP – Guidance for Cash-based Transfers in the Context of the Covid-19 Outbreak

Guidelines and Tools

The objectives of this document are: 1- Provide guidance and advice on operational continuity while reducing the risk of contamination.
2- Communicate clear changes/simplification in required procedures for planning, designing, implementing, sustaining and scaling up CBT operations in the field (With a...

27 March 2020

Cash Week 2019: How cash is driving change across the system

Blog Post

Cash Week 2019 aimed to provide a space to reflect, learn, and look ahead, to ensure quality in our use of CVA at scale. The CALP team reflects on the key takeaways from the events that took place around the world, and what they mean for actors within and beyond the humanitarian sector.

20 February 2020

Mitigating Risks of Abuse of Power in Cash Assistance in Uganda

Report

This document outlines lessons learned from a joint UNHCR/WFP project in Uganda with the aim to identify and mitigate the risks of abuse of power in cash assistance through the main delivery mechanisms used in-country: mobile money, e-cards and cash delivered through mobile vans.

February 2020

A guide to Cash and Voucher Assistance at Humanitarian Networks and Partnership Week

Blog Post

Don’t miss any of the sessions on cash and voucher assistance during the Humanitarian Networks and Partnership Week, which takes place in Geneva from 3 to 7 February 2020. On Monday 3 February, dive into the week with a session from the CALP Network on the Future of Financial Assistance: Supporting...

24 January 2020

Expression of Interest GBV Focal Point

Policy paper

The National Cash Working Group (CWG) in Iraq is calling for organizations to express their interest in nominating a staff to become the group’s GBV focal point. As outlined in the TOR for the GBV focal point (attached here), this role will work to assist the CWG in mainstreaming GBV prevention and risk...

2020

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.

Cash and Voucher Assistance and Risk in Financial Management and Compliance

Report

The CALP Network commissioned a scoping study on CVA and risk in financial management and compliance, which considered three specific challenges facing humanitarian organisations related to AML/ CTF regulations:
1. Transferring funds to the country of operations – challenges in identifying competent and...

2 December 2019