Timely, tailored and local cash and voucher cash and voucher assistance

UNFPA’s individualised and localised cash and voucher assistance (CVA) contributes to positive outcomes for vulnerable women and adolescent girls in humanitarian settings. By giving women and girls greater access to essential and lifesaving services and empowering them with choice, autonomy, flexibility and discretion, UNFPA’s CVA can directly contribute to the Three Transformative Results that we are committed to achieving by 2030: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending gender based violence and harmful practices and ending unmet need for contraception. Here are 3 ways UNFPA is using cash and voucher assistance to save lives in disasters.

Bangladesh

In response to extreme floods in 2022 and 2023, UNFPA Bangladesh used cash assistance for pregnant women to access life-saving obstetric care and deliver safely in health facilities. The cash assistance helped reduce financial barriers to access maternal care for flood-affected pregnant women.

©UNFPA Bangladesh

“It is very expensive for these pregnant women facing an obstetric emergency to travel to the district hospital,” says Adaya, a midwife in Bangladesh. “The consequences of not going can simply mean the death of the mother and the baby”

Afghanistan

UNFPA Afghanistan integrated cash assistance in its response to the October 2023 earthquake in the Herat province, focusing on sexual and reproductive health and psychosocial support.

"Tragedy struck when the earthquake shattered our home,” says Najiba, a woman from Injil district, “We were trapped beneath the rubble, but our neighbours saved us.”

©UNFPA Afghanistan

The objective of the cash assistance, which Najiba received, was to support, promote and enhance the health, well-being, self-esteem and dignity of women and adolescent girls in earthquake-affected areas. “With the cash aid, I bought food, clothes and wood to keep my three children warm and comfortable during the cold winter. We rebuild our home, finding strength in our unity. Nothing, not even the darkest of nights, can dim our light and thanks to those who bring this light and support us."

Myanmar

UNFPA’s localised approach to cash assistance in Myanmar is implemented in collaboration with women-led organisations and civil society organisations. Our partners are embedded at the community level and provide services for underserved women, adolescent girls, persons with disabilities and people with diverse SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics).

Provision of cash assistance shifts the decision making power to the targeted individuals, enabling them to make their own choices about their health and well-being.

“I feel secure and empowered that I have money in my hand for hospitalisation and safe delivery,” says Gewa, a 28-year-old cash recipient from Kachin.

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