RESOURCES
Cash in Conflict
Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) has several significant benefits that are well known, including increasing people’s dignity, power, autonomy and choice in how they manage their survival and recovery. CVA can also offer greater operational flexibility and achieve wider social and economic multiplier effects beyond its specific purpose.
Cash is used by people to pay for goods and services all around the world. This fact does not change in situations of armed conflict, when having cash in their hands can be mean the difference between life and death.
The ICRC – who have 16,800 staff in over 80 countries, helping people affected by armed conflict and violence – is enthusiastic about the benefits of CVA and realistic about when it is best to use it. Our experience and evidence shows that cash is an essential tool in humanitarian action in armed conflict, and our own operational analysis confirms many of the positive findings from other policy and academic studies.
© Revol Didier / ICRC
This section of the Cash Hub aims to share the experience of the ICRC and of those Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working in countries affected by conflict and other situations of violence.
Read the latest report below to find out more about the ICRC’s experience of using CVA in armed conflict
Key Resources
17 July 2025
Voices from Yemen: Finding dignity in crisis – Maha Ahmed’s story
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VideoOrganization:
Norwegian Red Cross, Yemen Red CrescentAs a mother caring for a disabled son, Maha faced immense challenges in meeting her family’s basic needs. With the help of cash assistance, she has been able to access…
17 July 2025
Voices from Yemen: How cash assistance empowered Abdel Fattah’s family
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VideoOrganization:
British Red Cross, ICRC, Yemen Red CrescentAbdel Fattah, a dedicated teacher in Yemen, shares his powerful story of caring for his elderly father who suffers from kidney failure. With limited resources and growing responsibilities, cash assistance…
17 July 2025
Voices from Yemen: From Conflict to Hope – How cash assistance helped Bashir rebuild
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VideoOrganization:
Norwegian Red Cross, Yemen Red CrescentBashir shares his powerful story of displacement, the struggle to find shelter, and living in fear amid ongoing conflict in Yemen. Faced with immense hardship, cash assistance became a crucial…
9 April 2025
Efficient And Secure: How the 121 Platform Revolutionizes Cash Assistance in Ethiopia
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Case studyOrganization:
510, Netherlands Red CrossThis case study explores how the 121 Platform, developed by 510, enabled multiple NGOs in Ethiopia to streamline multi-purpose cash assistance delivery. Integrated with Kobo Toolbox and local banking systems…
2 January 2025
Successful Microeconomic Initiatives stories in Libya
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ReportOrganization:
ICRCThis document showcases the Microeconomic Initiative (MEI) program by the ICRC in Libya, helping conflict-affected individuals rebuild livelihoods through financial aid and training. Stories of beneficiaries highlight restored businesses, job…
23 October 2024
Dignity in Action 2024: Key data and learning on cash assistance in the RCRC Movement
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ReportDrawing on learning and experience from across the world in 2022-23, this landmark report explores the transformative impact of cash assistance in humanitarian crises across the International Red Cross and…
4 July 2024
Remote Management of Affected People Desk Review: Lessons Learned and Implementation Guidelines
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GuidanceThe document focuses on situating technological and data solutions where remote interactions are needed in a broader process, with a view to ensuring that they are used properly and scaled…
14 June 2024
Movement Cash and Vouchers Assistance Preparedness (CVAP) partnership model review in ICRC context – Yemen
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ReportOrganization:
British Red Cross, Cash Hub, ICRC, Yemen Red CrescentYemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) has the ambition to enhance their capacity to design and independently implement cash-based assistance on a large scale since 2021. With the support of British…
12 March 2024
YRCS CVA Lesson Learnt Workshop Report
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ReportOrganization:
ICRC, Yemen Red CrescentThe Yemeni Red Crescent Journey on Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) capacity building aims to enhancing humanitarian rapid response, in an accountable manner and at scalable way during emergencies, recovery,…
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