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It's time for bold action on cash and voucher assistance - learn more

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WASH and Cash and Voucher Assistance

How can Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) support WASH outcomes? Please find a brief summary below, and for the very latest information, refer to the WASH Cluster’s Cash and Markets Technical Working Group.

Affordable and sustainable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is key for public health. At times of crisis most vulnerable people are susceptible to illness and death from diseases that are often caused by lack of sanitation, inadequate safe water and poor hygiene. Without access to basic water and sanitation services, and without the practice of good hygiene, the risk of diarrhoea, cholera and other disease outbreaks is high.

Whilst CVA cannot replace all traditional WASH activities, it has been used to increase access to drinking water through water vendors or small shops, or through the use of kits for treating and storing water. In some cases, Multipurpose Cash Assistance can aim to fulfil basic needs, including the supply of water and hygiene items, and cash for work has also been used for the repair and recovery of piped water networks.

Global WASH Cluster LogoTo find out more please refer to the WASH Cluster’s Cash and Markets Technical Working Group, who work to scale up quality CVA in the WASH sector.

Credit: Pablo Tosco/Oxfam
A group of women with their wheelbarrows heading to the water point in  Eilmidgan Village where Oxfam built a water desalination plant to collect water. Pablo Tosco/Oxfam