Cash & Crises Webinar
Disaster Risk Management Consultant, Author, and Founder of The Aid Workers Union
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Humanitarian cash assistanceThe term cash assistance refers to direct cash transfers to individuals, families and communities in need of humanitarian support in lieu of in-kind commodities or direct service delivery. The term can be used interchangeably with ‘cash-based interventions’ (CBI), ‘cash transfer programming’ (CTP), ‘cash and voucher assistance’ (CVA), and ‘cash-based programming (CBP)’. It does not include fund transfers from donors, payment of incentives to the staff of local authorities, paymen... More – widely referred to in the aid sector as ‘cashMoney in physical form such as banknotes and coins. More and voucher assistance’ (CVA) – works within a monetary ecosystem which is evolving rapidly. ChangeThis is the action by which certain banknotes and/or coins are exchanged for the same amount in banknotes/coins of a different face value, or unit value. See Exchange. More, especially in the payments space, is being driven as much by ideology as technology, with discussions over whether physical or digital solutions are better in any given scenario taking place in the context of financial inclusionA process by which individuals and businesses can access appropriate, affordable, and timely financial products and services. These include banking, loan, equity, and insurance products. While it is recognised that not all individuals need or want financial services, the goal of financial inclusion is to remove all barriers, both supply side and demand side. Supply side barriers stem from financial institutions themselves. They often indicate poor financial infrastructure, and include lack of ne... More and the so-called ‘war against cash’. The UN hosting of The Better Than Cash Alliance, a ‘special interest’ group set up by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, DFID and USAID, among others, seems to reflect this dichotomy.
If the CVA framework is to become more sustainable and resilient for societies facing crisis and disaster, the aid world needs to be aware of the continuing relevance of cash to national economies and society at large as well as more honest about the pitfalls of fintech innovation, especially in low-income societies where there is often little option but to pay with cash.
Digital delivery may indeed be more efficient, reduce transmission risks and promote financial inclusion, as CaLP’s State of The World’s Cash report alludes, but assertions like this can be disputed. For example, it may be that:
- Digital cash transfers are only more ‘efficient’ where the infrastructure is already in place and fully functional;
- Mobile payments platforms such as M-Pesa can actually inhibit financial inclusion by increasing indebtedness;
- Reducing access to cash can lead to lowering nutritional intake by children and therefore adverse health outcomes;
- Cashless interventions exert fewer multiplier effects in the local economy and are therefore less cost-effective.
With these arguments in mind, this webinar will explore the potential benefits and harms of digital versus physical CVA options in the context of international relief and development.
The panel will gather:
- Simon Levine, Senior Researcher, Overseas Development Institute: Some Pros and Cons of digital transfers.
- Will Galvin, Director/Founder, Last Mile Technology: Fintech innovation and mobile moneyFrom the Latin word moneta, nickname that was given by Romans to the goddess Juno because there was a minting workshop next to her temple. Money is any item that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular region, country or socio-economic context. Its onset dates back to the origins of humanity and its physical representation has taken on very varied forms until the appearance of metal coins. The banknote, a typical representati... More.
- Ron Delnevo, Chairman, Cash and Card World: The utility of physical currencyThe money used in a particular country at a particular time, like dollar, yen, euro, etc., consisting of banknotes and coins, that does not require endorsement as a medium of exchange. More in crisis situations – and generally.
- Belinda Baah: Insights Manager – Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation, GSMA: The potential benefits – and key considerations – of using mobile money for cash assistance programmes in humanitarian and low-income contexts.
and will be moderated by James Shepherd-Barron, Independent Disaster Management Consultant and Humanitarian Adviser to CashEssentials
Note that speakers should expect to be interrupted and challenged mid-flow. This is a discussion, not a formal presentation with some Q&A thrown in at the end.
RegisterSee See-through register. More here.
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