On 8 June 2023, the United Nations hosted a learning workshop on cash-based programmes in Sri Lanka. Led by the Cash working group (CWG) and supported by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RCO), the workshop served as a platform for consolidating knowledge for cash-based interventions amid the country's multidimensional crisis.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders such as UN agencies, international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), local NGOs and financial service providers (FSP) involved in cash programming, coordination, and delivery mechanisms. Their tasks was to evaluate past operations, identify areas for improvement, and develop priority preparedness actions for the CWG and the Humanitarian country team (HCT).
The workshop resulted in the formulation of recommendations for cash preparedness actions of the CWG and other stakeholders. Harmonisation of transfer values, market monitoring, community engagement and delivery mechanism platforms were key areas of consideration. Participants emphasised the need to develop a detailed timeframe for various stages of a humanitarian response, as well as enhancing the use of evidence-based research prior to response interventions to ensure that the most adequate and effective response modality is adopted.
