Cash Transfer Programming in Emergencies in Pakistan - NDMA & UNOCHA Joint Workshop

Executive Summary

The Government of Pakistan has been using cash transfer programmes (CTP) in emergency relief and recovery operations since the 2005 earthquake. More recently, the Government has implemented a wide range of cash initiatives for those affected by the 2010 mega floods and to support people displaced by the complex emergency in FATA. Other actors including UN agencies, civil society partners and the private sector also use CTP. Currently, CTP initiatives in Pakistan are driven by the mandate and opportunities of individual organizations. There is a lack of coordination and enabling framework to support CTP in emergencies.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) organized a two-day workshop on Cash Transfer Programming in emergencies on 4 and 5 November 2015. Participants included representatives of 38 organizations including from the Government (NDMA, PDMAs, State Bank, SSN/BISP and NADRA), the private sector (telecommunication companies, commercial banks and financial software companies) and humanitarian partners (donors, UN agencies and civil society). During the workshop participants mapped Pakistan’s experience in CTP highlighting gaps and best practices. Group discussions were used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of, and opportunities for, CTP in preparedness, response and post-disaster recovery in Pakistan.

Key recommendations:

1. Establish a forum/platform for dialogue between key stakeholders including the Government, private sector, and humanitarian partners.

2. Develop national policy guidelines for the implementation of cash transfer programmes.

3. Form a national technical taskforce/advisory board on cash transfer programming in emergencies.