This publication looks at UNFPA’s CVA programming and coordination in the Asia Pacific region in 2022.

Globally and in the Asia Pacific region, UNFPA recognizes the benefits that CVA can bring to the people it serves.

People-centered approach:

Cash or vouchers can provide crucial support to key populations and specific vulnerable groups in a more flexible, tailored and discreet way than other types of assistance, for example by transfers through digital means and through varied retrieval locations. With cash, pregnant women, people living with HIV, youth and adolescents with specific needs, women and girls survivors or those at risk of Gender-based Violence (GBV), sex workers and other key populations that UNFPA serves, ultimately decide how to use the cash that they are given, in a true people-centered way.

Dignity of choice:

By offering more choice, CVA can not only be more inclusive than other forms of support but can also contribute to women and girls’ empowerment, thereby positively impacting gender dynamics .

Cost-efficiency:

CVA can be a useful tool to ensure more efficient use of limited resources as it can be less costly than procuring in-kind goods during emergency responses.

Across the nexus:

CVA is an approach that can contribute to bridging humanitarian and development programming. CVA can naturally link to more sustainable exit strategies like governments’ social protection cash transfer programmes, which are well established in many countries in the region. To do so, UNFPA is looking to leverage its long-term presence and strong government partnerships in many countries.