This event launches Good Practice Review (GPR) 11 ‘Cash transfer programming in emergencies’, published by the Humanitarian Practice Network in partnership with the Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP), with support from the European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (DG ECHO), through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

One of the more exciting innovations in the response to humanitarian crises of recent years has been the use of cash. Across the humanitarian sector there is growing recognition that cash and voucher transfers can support people affected by disasters in ways that maintain human dignity, provide access to food and shelter and help rebuild or protect livelihoods. The question at the heart of this event is not whether cash is an appropriate way to meet the needs of people engulfed in crisis, but how organisations, donors and governments can use cash transfers to best effect.

This edition of GPR synthesises cash transfer guidelines, highlights lessons from evaluations and adds practical examples drawn from experience in the field. The authors will draw from the GPR to discuss the opportunities and obstacles facing cash-based responses in emergencies. What do we know? What knowledge gaps remain? Why do we not see larger-scale programmes using cash transfers and vouchers? What is the future of cash transfer programming?

Paul Harvey is co-author of ‘Cash transfer programming in emergencies’ is a Partner with Humanitarian Outcomes, an independent team of professionals providing evidence-based analysis and policy consultations to governments and international organisations on their humanitarian response efforts. He was previously a Research Fellow with the Humanitarian Policy Group in the Overseas Development Institute. Recent work has included reports on cash based responses, HIV/AIDS, analysing impact, remittances and dependency in humanitarian aid. Prior to joining ODI he worked for various NGOs as an emergency manager, including longer postings in Somalia, Sierra Leone and Kosovo.

Sarah Bailey is co-author of ‘Cash transfer programming in emergencies’ and Research Officer with the Humanitarian Policy Group. She has designed, managed and evaluated cash transfer programmes, and written widely on this issue. Sarah has managed emergency and development programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger.