Published on 15 January 2024

SDC as CVA Pioneer

Destruction after the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka - SDC implemented a flagship cash initative — © SDC

Since the late '90s, SDC has been a pioneer in adopting cash and voucher assistance, shaping best practices, facilitating capacity building, deploying more than 100 secondees to 15 different organisations since 2009 and implementing more than 30 projects in the last 25 years.

Highlights of Switzerland's Cash Advancement

SDC was an early pioneer of cash and voucher assistance (CVA), adopting the modality well before it gained momentum in the humanitarian aid sector following the natural disaster in South East Asia in 2004. Switzerland began exploring CVA in the late '90s, primarily deploying sector-specific cash projects, notably for shelter during the Balkan War. Ever since, Switzerland has been a strong advocate of this people-centred approach. The establishment of the community of practice on cash within the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) in 2005 underscored SDC's strategic commitment to advancing expertise and collaboration in the evolving landscape of humanitarian cash assistance. Over the past 25 years, Switzerland has upheld its leadership in cash programming, successfully implementing over 30 projects and supporting partner organisations through project implementation, capacity building, and funding for cash projects.
In the early 2000s, at a time when comprehensive documentation and specialised resources for CVA were scarce – such as the absence of dedicated networks like the CALP Network – Switzerland played a pioneering role in establishing best practices. It initiated the development of a Cash Workbook in 2003, cultivating expertise within its ranks. The journey involved significant contributions through secondments, initially focused on supporting Switzerland's foreign country offices. Later, these efforts expanded to encompass global capacity building within organisations such as UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC in the realm of cash assistance. Since 2009, SDC has deployed over 100 secondees to 15 partner organisations. Switzerland's commitment to advancing CVA was further underscored by active participation in global forums and initiatives, such as the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, which initiated the Grand Bargain workstream on Cash, or the Donor Cash Forum since 2018.

Extract from the SDC Cash Workbook (2003, p.5):
«The Department of the Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC/HA) implemented since 1999 more than 10 Cash Projects. Totally more than 60'000 families in 6 countries were given Cash contributions for more than 22 million Swiss Francs. Based on the various positive Cash approach experiences SDC/HA decided to compile this knowledge enabling implementation of new Cash Projects in a humanitarian environment in a satisfactory way. »
SDC and its partners implemented a housing reconstruction project in Sri Lanka between 2005 and 2007 following the tsunami, employing an innovative owner-driven approach. Through the Home Owner Driven Housing Project (HODHP), cash grants were directly provided to affected households, granting them the autonomy to design and reconstruct their homes according to their needs. The Swiss Consortium (SC), comprising SDC, Swiss Red Cross, HEKS, and Swiss Solidarity, ensured project success by efficiently managing costs, engaging with local communities, and implementing thorough monitoring mechanisms. Despite initial challenges, the project strategically adapted by providing financial «top-ups» to address rising costs. Notably, beyond its primary objectives, the initiative evolved into a capacity-building endeavour, enhancing the capabilities of local government bodies. In conclusion, this project serves as a model of innovation, prioritising homeowner empowerement, inclusivity, and alignment with government-led initiatives in post-disaster recovery.
Extract from evaluation report of HODHP (2006, p.34):
"This was a large and ambitious project, implemented in a difficult environment in a sector characterised by confusion, with the Consortium approach adding another layer of management complexity. Given this, the project can be seen in broad terms as a remarkable success. This evaluation provides empirical evidence that the growing trend towards financial support to owner-driven post-disaster housing reconstruction is socially, financially and technically viable."
Factsheet: Cash for Repair and Reconstruction Sri Lanka 2005-2007
The factsheet presents a summary of the Cash for Repair and Reconstruction Project in Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2007, initiated in response to the catastrophic damage caused by the Tsunami in December 2004.
PDF43.66 kB14 September 2007
Final Evaluation Report
This report presents the outcomes of the final evaluation conducted in September 2008 by Yasemin Aysan in Trincomalee, supported by Christian Ubertini and Paul Harvey, with reference to the mid-term evaluation in October 2006. Commissioned by the Swiss Consortium of Swiss Solidarity, HEKS, Swiss Red Cross, and SDC, the report assesses the Cash for Repair and Reconstruction Project in Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2008.
PDF240.36 kB1 December 2008
Early adopter
Meet Karl, a cash expert within the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) since 1992 with a solid background in agricultural studies. Karl's professional journey encompasses various continents, gathering diverse experiences from Jamaica to Kenya, Chile to the USA, underscoring his commitment to global development and humanitarian assistance. His expertise encompasses project planning, environmental advising, and the implementation of innovative cash transfer programmes. In 1999, Karl was among the first SHA members deployed as 'Project Manager in a Cash for Shelter Programme' for a SDC cash project in Serbia. Over the past 20 years, Karl has worked in over 16 cash projects and secondments across the globe. With a rich portfolio, he has served as a Senior Food Security Expert, Environmental Specialist, and CVA Specialist, embodying SHA's commitment to versatile and impactful humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Continuing the "cash revolution"
Meet Alice, a humanitarian professional who joined SHA in 2013. For over a decade, she served as a Programme Officer and Cluster Coordinator with organisations such as WFP and ICRC as a SHA secondee, and worked in a support role at the SDC headquarters. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, Alice has effectively navigated through seven countries, addressing diverse humanitarian crises and development challenges. Possessing dual master's degrees in International Relations, Development, and Diplomacy, Alice has excelled in roles such as Senior Technical Officer at CALP Network and CVA Officer with UNFPA, contributing significantly to global initiatives, COVID-19 responses, and learnings on CVA and gender-based violence.