This brief seeks to strengthen people‑centred cash programming by tracing recipient journeys in Ukraine, Somalia, Lebanon, and Burundi, showing how cash assistance can promote dignity, flexibility, and choice when designed around users. It highlights Ukraine’s digitalised response, but also notes challenges like irregular payments, and voucher restrictions.
In contrast, Somalia, Lebanon, and Burundi reveal weaker communication, overcrowded registration, long delays, and low digital literacy. Overall, the comparative informs innovation in Ukraine’s large‑scale cash response and contributes to global learning on making cash assistance more inclusive, predictable, and user‑driven.