In the current scenario of the world humanitarian organization the vast majority agency provide aid in-kind, in form of food, seeds, tools, medicine, shelter and household goods. At the same time, there is a significant and growing body of experience with the provision of cash or voucher as alternatives of complements to in-kind assistance. Cash can support access to food, help to rebuild or protect livelihoods, help to meet people’s need, non-food items etc.

Cash Transfer Program (CTP) are not a sector but it is simply an instrument or part of humanitarian response. It applies when its appropriate to meet particular objectives in context and situation of response. The appropriateness of cash transfer depends on needs, markets and other key factors, all are very from context to context.

In recent years, international humanitarian agencies have been adapting their responses to emergencies. Caritas India also has begun using cash-based initiatives in relief distributions to bring the dignity and freedom of choice of affected people. Local procurement is also being encouraged, and opportunities for other innovative responses can be explored through this intervention. The core part of CTP is better analysis of market systems and designing and monitoring of the program.

Two days’ workshop was organized on October 30-31, 2017 under the banner of European Aid Volunteers at Kolkata for the partner organisations from North, North-East and West zone on Cash Transfer Program in humanitarian response. The workshop explained proper rationale behind CTP in humanitarian context, different types of CTP, essential guiding principles and pros and cons associated with it.

25 participants including Director, program manager and volunteers were shared about the concept & practical application of CTP along with market assessment and designing and monitoring of CTP.

Mr. Anjan – Manager – DRR shared about Caritas India’s initiatives and implementation related to cash program in emergency. He further shared about Caritas India’s humanitarian intervention of Assam, UP and Chennai to get more clarity on the success, challenges and problem of the field. Importance of early market assessment and analysis, process and tools of the cash transfer programme was also shared with the participants.