Cash & Voucher Assistance Unit

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Cash Transfer is increasingly getting adopted by countries worldwide as a central element of social protection and poverty reduction.

Cash and voucher assistance (CVA) has continued to gain great significance and preference in humanitarian response. Initially known as cash transfer programming (CTP). Where feasible, it becomes the most preferable and cost-effective way of providing aid to the most vulnerable populations, by giving them the freedom, dignity and flexibility to meet their needs. In addition, it also incorporates the understanding of market operability’s.

(CVA) has continued to gain great significance and preference in humanitarian response. Initially known as cash transfer programming (CTP). Where feasible, it becomes the most preferable and cost-effective way of providing aid to the most vulnerable populations, by giving them the freedom, dignity and flexibility to meet their needs. In addition, it also incorporates the understanding of market operability’s.

Evidence has shown that there is a need to better understand factors under which CVA can be more effective, besides addressing a number of challenges that would come with the distribution of cash. Moreover, mainstreaming cash across sectors, i.e., Cash for Shelter; WASH; Health is still fallow ground that needs unpacking.

Objectives

  • Facilitate capacity-building initiatives to address knowledge gaps and needs with regards to CVA within KRCS, RCRC Movement and in the humanitarian systems to improve practice, standards, impacts and performance.

  • Systems strengthening: develop or review and thereafter operationalize CVA tools, approaches, methodologies and innovative ways of delivering cash

  • Generate evidence and learning to enhance the body of knowledge to support practice, policy, advocacy, innovation and learning in Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA).

  • Enhance partnership on CVA and contribute to the improvement of the existing humanitarian practice on CVA.

  • Cash Information Management to ensure efficient, quality, and accountable programming using data and vital information to make informed, evidence-based, strategic, and operational decisions; while showcasing and enhancing visibility of KRCS CVA interventions and products.

  • Link Humanitarian CVA to Social Protection and Development.

  • Resource Mobilization for CVA to conduct research and cash in anticipatory approaches (Early Actions).

Strategic Vision on CVA

To enable vulnerable populations affected by shocks meet their immediate basic needs through quality Cash assistance programming, hence, prepositioning Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) as the partner of choice for CVA at scale across Kenya.

Strategic Partnerships

Government of Kenya (State Department of Social Protection, National Drought Management Authority)
Cash Learning Platform Network (CaLP)
Cash-Hub (Brithish Red Cross)
UN Agencies (WFP, FAO, UNHCR, UNICEF)
ECHO
USAID
DFID
RCRC movement
Joint Market Monitoring initiatives with REACH, WFP, World Vision and REACH