Coordination mechanisms for cash-transfer programmes in emergency contexts in Horn of Africa

After having carried out an initial case study in Haïti , Groupe URD carried out a second study on the Cash Transfer coordination in the Horn of Africa. This study is part of a broader review of the coordination of CTPs in emergency relief situations, which includes 3 cases (Pakistan, Haiti, Horn of Africa). After this third and last study, Groupe URD drew up an overall synthesis report on what has been learned from these three contexts in order to draw lessons for better coordination of cash transfer programmes in future emergency contexts and to help to develop the CaLP’s advocacy strategy on this subject at the global level.

Case study on Cash Transfer coordination in the Horn of Africa

With the emergency response to the crisis in the Horn of Africa having been one of the largest cash transfer operations in this region, the humanitarian community as a whole strengthened its coordination mechanisms in relation to cash transfer programmes. The CaLP acted as a catalyst in launching this discussion between humanitarian agencies both in Kenya and Somalia, with the support of numerous NGOs, clusters and donors.

The study included the review of the 6 cash transfer coordination mechanisms which existed in the Horn of Africa (Kenya and Somalia):

1. The Cash Transfer Technical Working Group (CTTWG) for Kenya – chaired by the CaLP;
2. The Somalia Cash Based Response Working Group (CBRWG) for Somalia – chaired by Horn Relief and Coopi;
3. The inter-cluster coordination led by the FAO for clusters in Somalia;
4. The governmental sub-group on cash transfers – chaired by the Ministry of North Kenya, the Minister of State for Special programmes and co-facilitated by the CaLP;
5. The regional working group on cash co-facilitated by the CaLP and the FAO – launched on 16 February 2012;
6. The Cash and Voucher monitoring group for Somalia – coordinated by UNICEF.

The objective of this study was to review these coordination mechanisms for CTPs from their creation phase to the present and to analyse the success factors and the points which need to be improved.

Comparative analysis of the 3 case studies and synthesis report on Cash Transfer coordination in emergency contexts

This general synthesis report contributed to reflections on the coordination of cash-based programmes in emergency contexts.

An online survey has been implemented to gather experiences and expectations about coordination of cash transfer programmes. It concerned a wide variety of organisations who collaborate on these programmes, whether humanitarian or development, national or international, donors, government, private sector, research, etc.