Sector-specific CVA

SDC became a pioneer in cash initiatives in 1999, introducing a cash for shelter programme in response to an emergency housing situation caused by the armed conflict in Kosovo. Since the inception of the initial shelter initiative, SDC and its SHA cash and shelter/reconstruction experts have collaborated on numerous projects, enhancing their proficiency in this domain. Several cash and shelter manuals have been developed to establish fundamental standards and disseminate expertise within the broader global community of Cash and Shelter experts.

In the realm of cash and protection, humanitarian practitioners distinguish between two distinct approaches. The first, known as "cash for protection" (C4P), is an intervention whereby cash and voucher assistance (CVA) is used as the modality to address individual or household-level protection needs. For instance, it might entail providing cash assistance to a victim of gender-based violence to break free from a situation of dependency. On the other hand, the second approach refers to safe, accountable and inclusive programming, which focuses on the integration of protection principles into all forms of CVA projects. This ensures that humanitarian actors do no harm and leave no one behind when providing cash or vouchers. Safe, accountable and inclusive programming should be done in all humanitarian interventions, including cash for protection.

In humanitarian crises, ensuring affordable and sustainable access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is crucial for safeguarding public health. Vulnerable populations are particularly susceptible to diseases stemming from inadequate sanitation installations and unsafe water. The risk of diarrhea, cholera, and other outbreaks significantly increases without basic WASH services and hygiene practices in place.