”The conference constitutes a wonderful opportunity to compare our experiences and optimise the concept of ’cash-based assistance’. In addition, it is a possibility for Denmark to lead the way and share knowledge about a very innovative method for providing relief aid.”
These are the words of Erik Johnson who is the Head of DanChurchAid’s Humanitarian Response.
This ambitious, international conference is organised by DanChurchAid, the Danish Red Cross and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark together with the British Overseas Disaster Institute and the ECHO funded knowledge sharing organisation, Cash Learning Partnership, and it takes place on 5-6 December.
Locals know the most
Experiences
DanChurchAid made use of the cash approach in Burma/Myanmar, the occupied Palestinian areas, in Haiti, Pakistan and Bangladesh, among others, where relief aid for more that 10 million DKK was provided.
The cash approach consists of distributing cash to the beneficiaries when disaster strikes instead of distributing food or other relief items.
This puts the locals in a position where they are single-handedly responsible for administering the cash, and, in this way, the relief aid becomes much more adaptable.
”The people living in the disaster-struck areas are those who know the most about what they need. This is what we saw when we used this approach after the cyclone ‘Nargis’ in Myanmar in 2008. Here, the affected people needed food in the beginning, and later on they needed buffalos and so on. Our cash-based grants to the villages ensured that we were consistently 2-3 weeks ahead of the other organisations when it came to responding to the needs of the affected population,” explains Erik Johnson.
Practical and necessary
Facts
The cash approach is one of the fastest growing methods of providing relief aid when disaster strikes.
More than 130 people from Denmark and abroad are expected to participate in the conference in Copenhagen.
Distributing cash is not just a great method – it is, in fact, necessary. Because of the growing global demand for grain to be used for animal fodder and bio fuel, in 10 years we may have to face the fact that there is not enough grain in the world’s surplus stocks.
Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we ensure a local ability to act. In the future, people must become better at taking care of themselves.
”The cash approach makes the local population stronger in the long run. And it is consistent with our rights-based approach to relief work. It will not be the best solution for all situations, but if the local market is functioning, it is a more dignified way of receiving and providing assistance,” Erik Johnson points out.