Humanitarian Ministry, Stakeholders Meets To FineTune Zero Draft National Policy 

The Ministry of humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development In collaboration with World Food Programme other stakeholders has on Thursday met to fine- turned the Zero draft National guidelines to standardize the use of cash and Voucher assistance in humanitarian interventions, Response in Nigeria.

The Minister, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq who disclosed this at a two days workshop in Keffi, Nasarawa state that the workshop which is aimed at sharpening the shared understanding of the relevant stakeholders on the use of Cash and Voucher Assistance and to strategically position them to identify, design and develop an inclusive national policy that will strengthen the institutional capacity and operational environment of Cash and Voucher Assistance in Nigeria.

The Humanitarian minister who was represented by the Deputy Director, Disaster Management, Dr Sulieman Abubaka said Cash and Voucher Assistance, CVA, is gaining prominence and is rapidly expanding modalities for the delivery of humanitarian assistance which has moved from the fringe of the humanitarian response to the mainstream.

She noted that the humanitarian agencies, and governments have continued various degrees, examine and shift how they plan, fund, and coordinate humanitarian responses to help ensure that cash transfers are used when they are the best tool.

“It is against this phenomenal growth in the use of CVA in humanitarian interventions that the policy is being designed to provide a robust friendly environment for CVA operators as well as outline/clarify alignment between the cash related social protection programmes and humanitarian cash programmes, she said.

Also speaking, World Food Programme Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, David Stevenson said the policy is expected to lay a very strong and effective framework for administration of cash and voucher in the humanitarian settings.

Represented by Akeem Ajibola, Stevenson said that the initiative would remove constraints across the value chain of regulatory, operational, delivery and assurance, evidence have also shown that it contributes to development through stimulating growth of the local economies where appropriately implemented.

He, However, commended the seriousness and commitment that Nigeria government has attached to the whole process while appreciating the good work of the consultant seconded to the Ministry by WFP for ensuring a very participating process.

He also commended all the stakeholders for supporting a worthwhile cause of the country to develop a policy that will serve as a vehicle to demonstrate and practicalize the humanitarian development and peace in Nigeria.

Earlier, the OCHA Head of Office Trond Jenson who was represented by Ms Uche Njoku said CVA programming has been on a steady rise between 2017 and 2023 in Nigeria, humanitarian actors continue to use the modality because of its potential benefits to beneficiaries, and it has therefore seen positive developments despite institutional, programmatic and infrastructural challenges.

“Cash transfers have been increasingly adopted by some countries as key elements of national poverty reduction and social protection strategies”.

“Today, we are faced with complex challenges that not even one of us, or the very institutions we represent, could ever solve on our own. This includes the impact of the recent Naira scarcity on operations and programming. While the greatest impact has been on the operational ability of organizations, it is highly concerning that all cash activities have been somehow affected and this includes the effect on beneficiaries”.

“We expect people to become more vulnerable as a result of this and look forward to the result of the Cadre Harmonise. Meaningful and constructive dialogue between all of us today is essential to solving common problems and building a brighter future for so many people who depend on us, he said”.

One of the participants, consultant and monitoring evaluation from environmental management and occupational health, Rose Iwueze, said the policy is a welcome idea and is very loudable.

She commended the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for organizing this program and for thinking about having such a policy to formalize ways of addressing the humanitarian issues especially at the grassroots, in the era of cash transfer and voucher.