Research
While there is significant evidence to support the notion that there are wide-ranging and multifaceted benefits of implementing cash-based interventions, further research is required to close the knowledge gaps in specific areas and to exploit innovations in the delivery of cash and vouchers.
In 2010, the CaLP produced one major publication on cash delivery mechanisms (“Delivering Money: Cash Transfer Mechanisms in Emergencies”), and one study on the impact of cash transfers on unstructured markets. The CaLP also embarked on an ambitious research project together with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) to document best practices in cash and voucher transfer programming. The resulting “Good Practice Review 11: Cash Transfer Programming in Emergencies” was launched in July 2011.
CaLP has also contributed to learning and best practice around cash and voucher programming by identifying case studies from each of the focal countries, which are available in the resources library.
In 2011, the CaLP undertook the following 5 action researches (read summaries below or use the links on the left go directly to the resources):
Ready or Not? Emergency Cash Transfers at Scale
Through this research, CaLP will explore the extent of preparedness among key humanitarian donors, UN agencies, NGOs and governments to implement cash transfer programming at scale in emergencies.
The study will examine the preparedness of the sector to implement cash transfer programming at scale through a review of the tools, policies, systems, procedures and capacity of major actors, and make recommendations on what needs to be addressed to allow for improved large-scale cash-based responses.
Market analysis in cash transfer programmes
Through an examination of the available market assessment tools and methodologies, this research will investigate the role that market analysis can play at critical stages of cash based interventions.
The output of this research will be to provide humanitarian practitioners with practical guidance on the appropriateness, feasibility and practical implications of integrating market analysis at different stages of the project cycle of cash transfer programmes in different humanitarian contexts.
Cash and vouchers in urban contexts
With the use of cash transfers increasingly moving from rural to urban and from pilots to large-scale interventions, CaLP recognizes the increasing importance of providing applicable guidance and tools for appropriate decision making and programme implementation in an urban setting.
This research will support this endeavour by reviewing existing experience from urban cash and voucher programmes, and identifying best practices and lessons learned. It will provide programmatic and technical guidance to humanitarian practitioners on adapting cash and voucher tools and approaches to an urban environment and make recommendations for various stages of the project cycle.
New technology in humanitarian cash and voucher programming
The changes in technological capacity are among the shifts that have enabled a broader consideration of the use of cash transfer programmes in emergencies - particularly those relating to banking and mobile phone technologies. Nevertheless the humanitarian sector engages the poorest people in the world and is often intervening in technologically challenged environments.
This research will review the current use of new technologies in humanitarian cash transfer programmes at key stages of the project cycle. Based on the findings, it will highlight the cost effectiveness of using new technologies; identify bottlenecks and present recommendations on how to overcome them. Finally it will provide insight into what kind of technological innovations exist or are needed to make cash transfer programming more efficient. The results of this research will then be presented to a broad spectrum of private sector actors.
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Cash transfer mechanisms in urban area and related links with contingency planning (Philippines)
Emergency cash transfer responses to date have taken a significant amount of time to prepare and roll out. At least 3-6 weeks need to be calculated as lead time to be able to successfully, efficiently, accountably and transparently transfer money to disaster affected populations. This time can be crucial to save lives and ensure fast and efficient support for the population during a rapid onset emergency situation.
Disaster preparedness and contingency planning are critical to be better prepared and more reactive when disaster strikes. The development and the comparison of different transfer options and tools, negotiations with banks and other providers, as well as “middlemen” like traders for voucher exchanges, can be prepared and established long before emergencies happen, and necessary inputs can be identified and stocked or sourced. Using Metro Manila as a case-study, this research will identify opportunities and gaps relevant to cash transfer programming in humanitarian disaster preparedness and contingency plans, and provide guidance on the most appropriate and innovative tools & mechanisms to support the development of disaster preparedness capacities among humanitarian stakeholders to implement cash-based interventions in various types of emergency.
