Multipurpose Cash

Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPC or MPCA) comprises financial transfers tailored to meet the amount of money required to cover, fully or partially, a household’s basic and/or recovery needs. Cash transfers are ‹multi-purpose› if explicitly designed to address multiple needs, with the transfer value calculated accordingly. The extent to which a cash transfer enables basic needs to be met depends on the transfer value. MPC transfer values are commonly tied to expenditure gaps, utilising benchmarks such as the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) or other monetised calculations reflecting the amount essential for covering fundamental needs (CALP Glossary 2023).

MPC requires new ways of collaboration between humanitarian actors, at all stages of the programme cycle, and across sectors. While solid tools exist to support collaboration, challenges related to coordination, interoperability and data sharing can still be bottlenecks, hindering the efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance.

SDC is a proponent of multipurpose cash as an efficient and effective modality to provide access to basic goods and services, while providing choice and dignity to people in need and supporting the recovery of local markets. As an actor, advocate and donor, SDC is working to improve the quality of multi-purpose cash assistance and the efficiency and effectiveness of cash coordination, with the overall goal to provide the best possible assistance to the people we serve.

• SHA missions

  Members of the SHA Expert Group Cash support the implementation of MPC projects in different roles, including:

  • Co-leads of the Cash working group with WFP in Syria
  • Humanitarian Affairs Officer for Cash with OCHA in the Ukraine
  • Regional CVA Coordinator with IFRC in Eastern Europe
  • Senior CVA Expert in SHA Rapid Response mission in Albania
  • CVA Advisor working for a local NGO in Guatemala

• Example of Multipurpose Cash Aid in Emergency Setting in Albania

  In emergency settings, multipurpose cash interventions can play a crucial role in addressing the immediate needs of crisis-affected populations. For instance, in the aftermath of the devastating 2019 earthquake in Albania, SDC launched the Emergency Cash Pilot for families affected by earthquake in Bubq, Albania. In collaboration with the Swiss Embassy's Bashkti tё Forta (BtF) project, implemented through Helvetas, this project started 7-10 days after the emergency. SDC's unique position as a government agency with strong connections and its own Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit's rapid response team enabled swift action. 
  
  The project targeted 340 households across eight villages in Bubq, Kruja Municipality. Each household received ALL 11,200 (CHF 100) per person for two months (max. ALL 67,200 (CHF 600) for larger households) to cover their basic needs (including preparing for the winter months, improving temporary shelters or renting other accommodation) after the natural disaster, disbursed through Western Union.
  
  An external evaluation confirmed the relevance and effectiveness of the project in meeting the immediate needs of the earthquake-affected population. SDC demonstrated the feasibility of initiating CVA within the critical 7-10 days, leveraging its experience and strong partnerships with the Swiss Embassy and BtF staff.
  
  Despite challenges such as rapid targeting and limited market assessment, the project demonstrated SDC's commitment to transparent communication and operational efficiency, and emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships and expertise in delivering timely and effective humanitarian aid.
  
  External Evaluation of SDC/HA Emergency Cash Pilot For Earthquake Affected Households in Bubq, Albania

• Impressions of the Emergency Cash Pilot Project in Albania

  

  

  

  

  

  

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