50:(also referred to as cash transfers or cash grants) describes assistance provided in the form of money - either physical currency or e-cash* - to recipients (individuals, households, or communities). Cash transfers are unrestricted by definition, which means recipients can choose how to use the assistance. As such, cash is distinct from restricted modalities including vouchers and in-kind assistance. The terms ‘cash’ or ‘cash assistance’ should be used when referring specifically to cash transfers only (i.e., ‘cash’ or ‘cash assistance’ should not be used to mean ‘cash and voucher assistance’). ‘Cash’ is here applied broadly to include both physical currency and different forms of e-cash/ digital payments, but typically in regular use ‘cash’ refers only to physical currency (coins, notes).
113:
216:
71:(CALP), there has been an observed increase in the volume of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) in the humanitarian sector. From the year 2020 to 2022, the volume grew from approximately US$ 6.6 billion to US$ 10 billion. However, this growth in CVA volume also coincides with an overall increase in humanitarian funding during the same period. When examining CVA as a proportion of total international humanitarian assistance, the increase appears more modest, from 20.3% in 2020 to 20.6% in 2022, which is an incremental rise of 0.3% a figure that CALP assessed could potentially rise to 30–40% if utilized wherever feasible and appropriate.
84:
59:(e.g., a medical treatment)), or a combination of value and commodities. Vouchers are restricted by default, although the degree of restriction will vary based on the programme design and type of voucher. They are redeemable with preselected vendors or service providers or in ‘fairs’ created by the implementing agency.
104:
oriented towards sustainable economic growth and poverty alleviation over a longer term. In common humanitarian terminology, these are distinct from the immediate and direct support characteristic of CVA, which is targeted at addressing the critical needs of individuals and communities in the throes of a crisis.
99:
It is equally important to clarify what falls outside the scope of CVA, as commonly understood in humanitarian terminology. CVA does not encompass financial transactions such as payments to governments, remittances, or microfinance activities. These are separate categories of financial interactions,
63:
Together, these methods form the cornerstone of CVA strategies. While they operate differently—with cash transfers providing broad flexibility and vouchers ensuring focused support—both aim to deliver efficient and effective aid that empowers recipients and meets their immediate needs during crises.
223:
Cash and
Voucher Assistance is an umbrella term for a range of aid activities characterised by the transfer of cash, cash-equivalent or goods and services equivalent resources directly to aid recipients. CVA has also been called, variously, Cash Based Intervention (CBI), Cash Based Assistance (CBA)
103:
Additionally, the term CVA is not typically used to describe longer-term economic recovery or development initiatives. This includes livelihood activities such as providing business grants to micro and small enterprises, village grants, or implementing poverty-focused programs. These activities are
91:
Cash transfers generally provide recipients with direct financial resources, offering them the autonomy to address their diverse and immediate needs. This modality is valued for its flexibility and broad applicability in various crisis contexts. On the other hand, voucher systems are typically more
95:
Recognizing these differences, the general term was changed to 'Cash and
Voucher Assistance' (CVA) post-2018 to more accurately encapsulate both modalities. While humanitarian cash working groups may provide guidance on vouchers in some contexts, it's often different sectoral humanitarian clusters
79:
In humanitarian aid, the evolution of terminology has been crucial in clarifying the nature and scope of financial assistance. Initially, terms like 'Cash
Transfer Programming' (CTP) and 'Cash Based Assistance' (CBA) were broadly used to encompass both cash transfers and voucher systems. However,
58:
describes assistance provided in the form of a paper voucher or e-voucher that can be exchanged for a set value, quantity and/or type of goods or services, denominated either as a currency value (e.g., $ 15), a predetermined range of commodities (e.g., fruits and vegetables) or specific services
286:
Mechanisms for CVA include the distribution of cash in-hand; the use of a range of e-cash technologies including mobile-phone based money (mobile money), e-wallets, pre-paid debit cards, or access to money via ATM machines; and the distribution of paper or e-vouchers exchangeable for goods and
92:
targeted, allowing recipients to exchange them for specific goods or services. These are often closely aligned with sectoral objectives within humanitarian clusters such as health, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and
Hygiene), or shelter, and are tailored to address specific needs in these areas.
131:
Hanlon et al document a paradigm shift from the early 2000s, away from paternalistic attitudes to aid giving characterised by concerns about regulation and 'good governance', towards direct funding in cash of aid recipients. As with a growth of state-funded CCT in the
96:
that manage voucher systems due to their sector-specific objectives. This distinction ensures that both cash transfers and vouchers are used effectively to meet the varied needs of affected populations, making humanitarian responses more efficient and targeted.
43:, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) is recognized as an umbrella term for two of the common modalities of assistance for delivering swift and flexible humanitarian aid support to populations affected by various crises, the third being in-kind assistance.
196:
148:
194:
in 2015 endorsed the use of cash transfers, finding "significant scope for increasing the use of multi-purpose cash-based assistance in humanitarian responses, depending on the context". The
European Union, through its
206:
Mobile for
Humanitarian Innovation programme, have responded to the opportunity of CVA by developing partnerships with providers, and by working with the wider aid community to promulgate CVA knowledge and solutions.
1013:- January 2014 report by the Humanitarian Futures Programme, King's College London, examining how changes in the broader global and humanitarian landscape may evolve, influence and shape CTP's future progression.
158:
inaugurated a 'Grand
Bargain' between aid funders and humanitarian organisations, committing to "get more means into the hands of people in need"; the third workstream of the bargain, led by the UK and the
199:
committed to deliver 35% of humanitarian assistance in the form of cash transfers under the Grand
Bargain, and has achieved an increase from 24% of the total budget in 2016 to 34% in 2019 and 2020.
178:. They document that the value of CVA has grown from US$ 2B in 2015, representing 7.9% of development aid, to US$ 5.6B in 2019 representing 17.9% of aid. CVA is identified by funders such as the
186:
as an effective, efficient, and appropriate method of aid; Plan
International has committed to asking "why not cash?" in the design of its humanitarian responses. The
1007:- non-profit membership organisation providing a network for organisations involved in policy, practice and research in humanitarian cash and voucher assistance.
860:"Unconditional cash transfers for reducing poverty and vulnerabilities: effect on use of health services and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries"
434:
806:
174:, a nonprofit membership organization concerned with capacity building in humanitarian cash and voucher assistance, has issued two 'state of CVA' reports,
112:
80:
this usage often caused confusion, as it didn't distinctly differentiate between the two, despite their differing operational methodologies and impacts.
164:
175:
128:. However in international humanitarian aid, the traditional approach to emergency relief has tended to be the provision of in-kind assistance.
100:
serving different purposes often related to long-term economic development or structural financial support, rather than direct crisis response.
614:
673:
988:
967:
529:
215:
179:
945:
634:
Fink-Hooijer, Florika (2014-01-01). "7 The EU's
Competence in the Field of Civil Protection (Article 196, Paragraph 1, a–c TFEU)".
1010:
31:
136:, the evidence is suggestive of the efficacy of cash transfers to the poor, and the case for such transfers is compelling.
191:
120:
The provision of aid by the transfer of cash or cash-substitutes is not novel, and can be traced back to at least 100BCE.
936:
410:
701:
385:
83:
1026:
190:, the world's largest humanitarian agency, disbursed US$ 3.3B in 2020 via CVA – 37% of its total assistance. The
155:
121:
237:, designed to meet specific needs, but unrestricted in terms of their use - can be conditional or unconditional
282:
social protection - CSV can work within wider safety-nets to provide long-term support for vulnerable groups
187:
183:
935:
Vidal, José Jódar; Kondakhchyan, Anna; McCormack, Ruth; Peachey, Karen; Phelps, Laura; Smith, Gaby (2020).
263:
safety - cash can be distributed electronically, obviating the need for recipients to travel to receive aid
167:
called for cash to be the default method of support for crisis-affected people where the situation allows.
774:
956:
Alderman, Harold; Gentilini, Ugo; Yemtsov, Ruslan (2018). "The Evolution of Food as Social Assistance".
734:
435:"Shelter Considerations for MEB Development and MPCA Program Design: A Guidance Note | Shelter Cluster"
140:
788:
279:
financial empowerment - CVA can leverage access to additional finance resources such as seed capital
648:
276:
fostering economic recovery and support - CVA supports the development of sustainable local markets
144:
795:. Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. 1 March 2021.
87:
Recipient of an aid voucher exchangable for seeds and fertilizer in Sindh, southern Pakistan, 2011
260:
choice, dignity and flexibility - enables recipients to prioritise their own spending preferences
227:
160:
984:
963:
889:
858:
Pega, Frank; Pabayo, Roman; Benny, Claire; Lee, Eun-Young; Lhachimi, Stefan; Liu, Sze (2022).
610:
525:
125:
67:
According to data reported in 'The State of the World's Cash 2023', which is created by the
879:
871:
602:
39:
482:
458:
356:
307:
240:
multi-purpose cash transfers, designed for cover some or all of a range of household needs
124:(CCT) have existed within western countries since at least the 17th century, such as the
884:
859:
1020:
234:
163:
is concerned with increasing the use and coordination of cash-based programming. The
17:
875:
171:
133:
68:
594:
978:
957:
606:
519:
411:"A short history of cash and voucher assistance – 6 key lessons and observations"
266:
cost efficiency - cash can be distributed at a lower cost than goods and services
197:
Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
149:
Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
143:
introduced cash-based aid as well as gender and age sensitive aid as part of the
331:
249:
cash for work, a conditional form of CVA requiring the recipient to perform work
807:"Mobilising cash and Voucher assistance programmes: the case for mobile money"
893:
521:
The Cash Dividend: The Rise of Cash Transfer Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa
243:
value vouchers, exchangeable for goods or services to an indicated value
270:
269:
cost effectiveness - CVA can achieve better outputs and outcomes than
944:
Balmer, Laura; Alam, Syed Mohammed Aftab; Koirala, Binod (May 2021).
214:
111:
82:
757:
755:
721:
246:
commodity vouchers, exchangeable for specified goods or services
252:
cash for training, requiring the recipient to undertake training
203:
1004:
674:"Increase the use and coordination of cash-based programming"
256:
Benefits and advantages of CVA are identified as including:
116:
Aid vouchers being issued to Syrian refugees in Jordan, 2013
977:
Hanlon, Joseph; Barrientos, Armando; Hulme, David (2012).
219:
Aid voucher issued in 2011 after 2010 flooding in Pakistan
601:, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1–20,
505:
593:
Boin, Arjen; Ekengren, Magnus; Rhinard, Mark (2013),
580:
568:
556:
544:
202:In 2021, technology providers, such as through the
1011:Is Cash Transfer Programming 'Fit for the Future'?
332:"In-kind food distribution | World Food Programme"
918:
906:
845:
833:
761:
946:"Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Programming"
777:. Council of the European Union. 22 June 2015.
518:Garcia, Marito; Moore, Charity M. T. (2012).
230:identify a number of forms of CVA including:
8:
696:
694:
883:
638:: 137–145. doi:10.1163/9789004268333_009.
864:Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
296:
506:Alderman, Gentilini & Yemtsov 2018
224:and Cash Transfer Programming (CTP).
7:
1005:CaLP - The Cash Learning Partnership
937:"The State of the World's Cash 2020"
599:The European Union as Crisis Manager
386:"The State of the World's Cash 2023"
380:
378:
376:
302:
300:
636:EU Management of Global Emergencies
581:Hanlon, Barrientos & Hulme 2012
569:Hanlon, Barrientos & Hulme 2012
557:Hanlon, Barrientos & Hulme 2012
545:Hanlon, Barrientos & Hulme 2012
25:
775:"Outcome of Proceedings 10184/15"
739:United States Department of State
180:United States Department of State
939:. The Cash Learning Partnership.
409:Witcombe, Jo-Anne (2021-04-29).
56:Humanitarian Voucher Assistance.
32:Cash assistance (disambiguation)
959:The 1.5 Billion People Question
919:Balmer, Alam & Koirala 2021
907:Balmer, Alam & Koirala 2021
846:Balmer, Alam & Koirala 2021
834:Balmer, Alam & Koirala 2021
762:Balmer, Alam & Koirala 2021
678:Inter-Agency Standing Committee
653:Inter-Agency Standing Committee
876:10.1002/14651858.CD011135.pub3
1:
735:"Cash and Voucher Assistance"
524:. The World Bank. p. 2.
192:Council of the European Union
607:10.1017/cbo9781139565400.002
48:Humanitarian Cash Assistance
980:Just Give Money To The Poor
702:"Cash Transfer Programming"
1043:
595:"The EU as crisis manager"
122:Conditional Cash Transfers
29:
649:"About The Grand Bargain"
156:World Humanitarian Summit
27:Type of humanitarian aid
709:Caritas Internationalis
188:UN World Food Programme
184:Caritas Internationalis
30:For similar terms, see
220:
117:
88:
951:. Plan International.
218:
176:most recently in 2020
115:
86:
18:Cash Based Assistance
962:. World Bank Group.
165:UN Secretary-General
141:Florika Fink-Hooijer
483:"Glossary of Terms"
459:"Glossary of Terms"
357:"Glossary of Terms"
308:"Glossary of Terms"
145:European Commission
983:. Kumarian Press.
439:sheltercluster.org
228:Plan International
221:
161:World Food Program
118:
89:
722:Vidal et al. 2020
616:978-1-139-56540-0
126:English Poor Laws
16:(Redirected from
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1027:Humanitarian aid
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789:"Cash Transfers"
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711:. June 2018.
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336:www.wfp.org
75:Terminology
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492:2023-12-31
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444:2023-12-31
420:2023-12-31
395:2023-12-31
366:2023-12-31
342:2024-01-04
317:2023-12-31
291:References
287:services.
793:Europa.eu
170:In 2020,
154:The 2016
139:In 2012,
1021:Category
894:35348196
211:Overview
929:Sources
885:8962215
271:in-kind
108:History
987:
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819:14 May
744:14 May
683:14 May
658:14 May
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949:(PDF)
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985:ISBN
964:ISBN
890:PMID
868:2022
821:2021
814:GSMA
746:2021
685:2021
660:2021
611:ISBN
526:ISBN
204:GSMA
182:and
172:CALP
880:PMC
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273:aid
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