There are a range of options for integrating social protection programming linked to humanitarian cash and voucher assistance (CVA). This continuum moves from governments taking the lead in developing social protection systems that can respond to large-scale shocks (shock responsive social protection systems) to humanitarians driving the process (described as linking humanitarian CVA with social protection). Consequently, preparedness should include the reinforcement of shock responsiveness in social protection systems and of how humanitarian and social protection systems may be linked for a more effective, efficient, and equitable response.
The inclusion of CVA – whether via social protection, humanitarian response, or a blend of the two - in preparedness work in LAC is only beginning to gain traction. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) governments have long used CVA successfully in various social protection programs. However, CVA for humanitarian response at scale is much more recent in the region. The region is highly vulnerable to multiple and cyclic hazards such as droughts and hurricanes, which are increasingly causing displacement and poverty. One factor that inhibits using CVA in disaster response is that traditionally disaster management response in LAC favored in-kind assistance by default; this limited further investment in preparedness to use CVA in emergency situations. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has proved a driver of change through a greater focus on CVA as a main tool to address increasing poverty and vulnerability. Governments in the region have begun to strengthen emergency preparedness using humanitarian CVA and through links to existing social protection programs. These new practices and learning can offer a sort of a road map in preparing to respond to other complex crises with humanitarian CVAconnected to existing national social protection systems.
This study maps and analyzes programs starting from 2016 in which humanitarian CVA was linked to, or built on, national social protection programs, primarily for preparedness in a disaster but also for direct response to disasters, throughout Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. The study draws on an analytical framework of five key “building blocks” of social protection systems to help unpack the main parameters for work on preparedness: i) Stakeholders and Institutions; ii) Data, and Information Systems; iii) CVA Design; iv) Delivery Systems; and v) Coordinating and Financing. Companion in depth case studies from the Dominican Republic and Honduras complement the study.
In short, this study:
- explores how humanitarian CVA adds value to and strengthens Social Protection programs while contributing to disaster preparedness in Mexico, Central America, and the Dominican Republic
- draws out real examples of best practice through two case studies from Honduras and the Dominican Republic
- maps humanitarian CVA and how it is linked to and used in Social Protection preparedness planning
- diagnoses CVA and Social Protection gaps in LAC’s preparedness landscape, highlights barriers, enablers, challenges, and opportunities for linking humanitarian CVA to Social Protection through a preparedness lens
- offers actionable advice and examples to practitioners seeking to offer more efficient social assistance systems, and better preparedness for vulnerable communities