Linking Cash Transfers with Social Protection in Sri Lanka
Insights into a Swiss Humanitarian Aid member's secondment mission with WFP
A mission in Sri Lanka
Initially from October 2019 to March 2022 and then from August 2022 to June 2023, Natacha was deployed to Sri Lanka, representing the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Her role focused on social protection and cash transfers in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Sri Lanka's multidimensional crisis
During Natacha's missions, Sri Lanka faced a multi-dimensional crisis characterised by food insecurity, threatened livelihoods, shortages in essential medical supplies, surging inflation, and heightened protection concerns. Food scarcity had worsened, leading to a doubling of the poverty rate. The country faced imminent bankruptcy, a collapse in tourism, and suffered from detrimental fiscal decisions and corruption.
A second term in Sri Lanka
Natacha returned to Sri Lanka for her second mission in August 2022. Her previous experience enabled a more effective response to the emergency situation. The crisis stemmed from a significant reduction in agricultural production, which was exacerbated by rising fuel and basic food prices.
Cette mission est vraiment très intéressante, parce qu’on peut répondre à l’urgence, grâce à toute la préparation qui a été mise en place par le passé, lors de ma précédente mission
Aid for the vulnerable population
For emergency aid, the SHA member and her team supported the most affected populations in various ways. They utilised the national social protection system in collaboration with the government, they partnered with Western Union, and worked with the private sector and Cargill supermarkets by distributing vouchers. This financial assistance helped individuals meet their basic needs and enhance their resilience to shocks and during vulnerable periods in their lives.
Nous échangeons beaucoup avec les communautés locales pour savoir si nos mécanismes de transferts sont pertinents. Pour l’aide d’urgence, nous assistons les populations les plus affectés de plusieurs manières, au travers du système national de protection sociale en collaboration avec le gouvernement, ainsi qu’avec Western Union et aussi en partenariat avec le secteur privé et les supermarchés Cargill au moyen de bons d’achats. Cette assistance financière leur permet de subvenir à leurs besoins de base, ainsi qu’à accroître leur résistance aux chocs et aux périodes vulnérables de leur vie