Monitoring and Evaluation
Most M&E challenges, such as a lack of sufficient investment and capacities, are not specific to CVA. But those that are relate primarily to monitoring outcomes for unrestricted transfers. The flexibility of cash transfers can make it difficult to determine appropriate outcome indicators, as they may involve a combination of sector-specific and cross-cutting indicators. At the same time, there are limitations on gathering accurate data on how cash transfers are spent.
Grand Bargain signatories have committed to ensuring relevant M&E mechanisms are in place for cash, and increasing understanding of the costs, benefits, impacts and risks of cash relative to other modalities. Building on this, the GB cash workstream has action points including the development of common outcome indicators for multipurpose cash, and metrics for analysing value for money. Systematic value for money analysis has been limited by factors including a lack of agreed upon approaches, the need for quality outcome data, and the intensive nature of the analysis.
Current priorities
As part of the Grand Bargain cash commitments, the CALP Network has co-led (with USAID and CRS) the development of Multipurpose Cash Outcome Indicators. The draft for testing is currently available in English, French and Spanish via the library.
Related initiatives
Featured content
Multipurpose Cash Outcome Indicators – Final Draft for Testing
Guidelines and Tools
Note that the MPC indicators have now been revised. Please click here to access the updated Multipurpose Outcome Indicators and Guidance, which is available in Arabic, English, French and...
Monitoring 4 CTP: Monitoring Guidance for CTP in Emergencies
Guidelines and Tools
This guidance provides a central resource to promote a common understanding of the most important monitoring considerations for humanitarian projects using cash transfer programming (CTP). The...
Cost-Efficiency Analysis of Basic Needs Programs: Best Practice Guidance for Humanitarian Agencies
Guidelines and Tools
The Efficiency, Effectiveness and Value for Money Sub-Workstream is pleased to share the final output on Cost-Efficiency Analysis of Basic Needs Programs: Best Practice Guidance for Humanitarian...
Thematic lead
Latest
Ready or not? Emergency cash transfers at scale
Report
Whilst there is significant experience of implementing cash transfer programmes (CTP) in emergencies this has seldom been at a scale comparable to in-kind responses. A number of critical gaps and blockages standing in the way of scaled up programming in the wake of a disaster have been identified...
Meeting Humanitarian Challenges in Urban Areas: Review of Urban Humanitarian Challenges in Port-au-Prince, Manila, Nairobi, Eldoret
Report
Following recommendations of the IASC Task Force on MHCUA, Nairobi, Eldoret and Manila and Port au Prince were adopted as representative case studies. They reflect recent and different types of sudden onset emergencies and disasters (urban violence, severe flooding and hurricanes, earthquakes) impacting...
Beneficiary Perceptions of Corruption in Humanitarian Assistance: A Sri Lanka Case Study
Case Study
This case study, based on a number of chosen villages in Sri Lanka, examines the views of beneficiaries on corruption in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It begins by outlining some of the corruption risks that agencies may face during emergency responses, particularly in conflict-affected...
Learning from cash responses to the tsunami: Issue Paper 1: Analysing Markets
Report
This is the first of six issue papers which form part of a project to document learning around cash based responses to the Indian Ocean tsunami. The project was funded by the British Red Cross, Save the Children UK, Oxfam GB, Mercy Corps and Concern Worldwide. This 5-page Issue Paper explores the broad...
Cash Grants Aid Recovery in the Bahamas after Tropical Storm Noel
Case Study
This case study of the first ever Bahamas Red Cross unconditional cash grant programme looks at the decision-making process behind the programme, and planning and implementation stages. Support from the American Red Cross is highlighted, lessons learnt are identified and a personal story is provided.
Learning from cash responses to the tsunami: Issue Paper 2: Disbursement Mechanisms
Report
This is the second of six issue papers which form part of a project to document learning around cash based responses to the Indian Ocean tsunami. The project was funded by the British Red Cross, Save the Children UK, Oxfam GB, Mercy Corps and Concern Worldwide. This 5-page Issue Paper examines the...
Cheques – A Quick Delivery Guide
Guidelines and Tools
A Quick Delivery Guide to delivering money through cheques. Prepared as a practical tool, this guide provides a brief synthesis of the necessary preconditions and advantages and disadvantages of using cheques. It also provides practical implementation tips.
Niger: Unconditional cash transfers in Tanout
Case Study
This case study documents the one time unconditional cash transfer programme carried out by the British Red Cross, for households vulnerable to food insecurity, as part of its overall emergency and recovery project following the 2004/5 Food crisis in Niger. It details the context, situational analysis,...
Direct Cash – A Quick Delivery Guide
Guidelines and Tools
A Quick Delivery Guide to delivering money directly (‘direct cash’ or ‘cash in envelopes’). Prepared as a practical tool, this guide provides a brief synthesis of the necessary preconditions and advantages and disadvantages of using direct cash. It also provides practical implementation tips.
How cash transfers can improve the nutrition of the poorest children: Evaluation of a pilot safety net project in southern Niger
Report
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...