Multipurpose Cash for Recovery: Locally-led Humanitarian Action in Guatemala
In November 2020, Guatemala faced a devastating crisis as tropical hurricanes Eta and Iota struck, resulting in loss of life, displacement, and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, notably impacting the departments Alta Verapaz and Izabal. The events led to urgent humanitarian needs for families who lost everything, needed shelter, or found themselves isolated. It also created a need for ongoing assistance in the short to medium term, especially for those severly affected by the hurricanes and subsequent floods.
Project Overview
- Number of project beneficiaries: approx. 8500 beneficiaries (1700 families with an average of 5 members) in Alta Verapaz
- Budget: approx. CHF 410'000
- Partners: Local NGO, Fastenopfer and its network of contacts
As part of Switzerland's response, the Rapid Intervention and Support Group (GIAR) and the Local Emergency Team (EEL) were deployed to conduct a rapid needs and damage assessment. The GIAR-EEL teams swiftly delivered immediate humanitarian aid, distributing 78 tons of humanitarian supplies to 14 communities in Alta Verapaz through established partnerships with locally active Swiss NGOs. During the GIAR-EEL assignment, a SHA CVA expert conducted a rapid cash feasibility study. The results favored cash interventions, resulting in a cash distribution project across 14 communities (the same 14 as the food assistance beneficiaries) implemented by the local NGO. Affected families received multipurpose cash grants, empowering them to choose essential items and engage in the recovery process independently.
At the same time, SDC aimed to bolster the capacities of the Cobán-based local NGO, which was responsible for the implementation of the cash project, by deploying an SHA Cash expert as a secondee. The secondee served as a coach and technical advisor for three months to the partner organisation, providing support in the short-term CVA emergency response and working closely with the local NGO to offer expertise, guidance, and training for the execution and institutionalisation of CVA interventions.
Related content
An article about the GIAR team and briefly on the mission in Guatemala in 2020 - SDC's magazine for development and cooperation.