Cash Programming in Emergencies DMWG Meeting 7th August 2009 Presenter: Vu Xuan Viet Humanitarian Programme Officer Oxfam International in Vietnam

Cash Transfers by Definition Cash transfer programming in emergencies is one form of humanitarian response which can be used to address basic needs and/or protect, establish or re-establish livelihoods.” (British Red Cross Cash Transfer Guidelines) good decisions

Why Cash Transfers? Pragmatic reasons Cost efficient Multiplier effects Avoids disincentive effects Fewer costs for recipients Humanitarian reasons Dignity Choice Power transfer Links response to recovery In emergencies, distributing cash can often meet people’s immediate needs more quickly and appropriately than the direct distribution of commodities. Cash gives people choices and thereby preserves their dignity (

Description and Objectives of Cash Interventions

Criteria for Decision Making on Cash Interventions

Applications of cash transfers – When? Pre-disaster  In preparation for a predictable shock or as part of a disaster risk reduction programme Initial stages of a disaster  To meet immediate, essential food, nonfood and income needs and/or protect/reestablish livelihoods and provide shelter Recovery or transition period  To help re-establish/ support livelihoods and/or provide shelter or short- term labour opportunities for the benefit of the community In permanent/chronic crises  To contribute to poverty alleviation, shift the humanitarian programming to social assistance, address essential food and non-food needs and support/establish livelihoods During conflict  To meet immediate needs and contribute to livelihoods support or establishment.

Conditions  A functioning market  Availability of products on a local, regional and/or national level, and within a reasonable distance  Traders who are willing and able to participate  Geographical accessibility of shops/markets to recipients  A functioning and reliable system through which payments can be made to traders (voucher programmes) and/or recipients  A reliable recipient identification system  Political and cultural acceptance  Community awareness and agreement

Oxfam in Vietnam & Cash Transfer experiences  Cash Emergency Responses:  Ninh Thuan 2005: Cash Grant, Cash Voucher, Cash for Work (Drought Response)  Nam Dinh : Cash Grant, Cash for Work (Flood Response)  Ha Tinh 2007: Cash Grant and Cash for Work (Flood Response)  Lao Cai : Cash Grant and Cash for Work (Typhoon Response)

Planning for cash transfer in emergencies Identify methods for cash transfer and distribution Establish Relief Committees at district/commune level Set up feedback mechanisms Identify beneficiary selection criteria Finalize Lists of beneficiaries Planning for the distribution Planning for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Guidelines, Forms and Templates

Visit and Verify Cash Voucher (Ninh Thuan)

Affected provinces by Storm No. 4 (Lao Cai was the worst hit) Seriously affected districts in Lao Cai province (Bao Yen was the worst hit, especially agricultural livelihoods) LAO CAI BAO YEN Cash Transfers in Lao Cai

C4W for Paddy Field Rehabilitation (Lao Cai)

Impacts of Cash Transfers in Lao Cai (Case study 3) Cash for Work No. of households: 1,810 No. of beneficiaries: 9,000 No. of man-days: 23,605 (VND 50,000/man-day) Cash Grant: No. of households: 1,338 No. of beneficiaries: 6,457 No. of Women: 3,078 No. of pregnant/ nursing mothers: 272 No. of Men: 3,379 Total: VND 1,937,100,000 (equivalent to $117,000 US) Oxfam helps us to find back the smiles after that devastating storm

Thank You