Cash delivery mechanism

All cash delivery mechanisms come with some barriers for some people. Consultation with different at-risk groups, in particular persons with functional- and mobility limitations, and the analysis of the barriers of different delivery mechanisms are key to selecting the most adequate mechanism for emergency cash transfers in humanitarian contexts.

• Direct cash distribution can offer better accessibility than electronic cash, since the accessibility of banking outlets, mobile banking or ATMs is difficult to control, but may lead to limitations in scalability.
• Electronic transfers (mobile money, bank transfers etc.) can be the more accessible and safer modality by giving recipients more choice about the timing of and location of collecting cash.

Tips for inclusion:

• Conduct focus group discussions with women, men and children from different at-risk groups, including blind persons, persons with physical disabilities and persons with intellectual disabilities, to understand their experience and practices with cash management and barriers they may face when accessing cash from different delivery mechanisms.
• Analyze the physical-, information-, and institutional barriers of available delivery mechanisms provided by different financial service providers.
• Prioritize a delivery mechanism which persons from at-risk groups can access themselves, instead of through a third person. (The freedom of choice and independence cash provides to people affected by disaster is a key benefit of cash as an aid modality.)
• If the delivery mechanism involves access to mobile phones, bank accounts or identification cards, make sure persons with disabilities and older people receive the necessary assistance for equal access. Involve existing community-based services and local representative organizations to provide support.

Raise awareness with financial service provider to highlight barriers of their delivery mechanisms or discriminatory policies and help them overcome them.