Karen Jacobsen, acting director of the Feinstein International Center, recently published a new report concerning optimization of cash transfer programs (CTPs) in humanitarian contexts.
The publication, titled "Cash Transfer Programming for Syrian Refugees: Lessons Learned on Vulnerability, Targeting, and Protection from the Danish Refugee Council's E-Voucher Intervention in Southern Turkey," provides insight into three key components of CTPs:
• Developing and executing an effective profiling questionnaire and assessment
• Creating a flexible vulnerability scoring index to target the right beneficiaries
• Addressing protection and gender-related concerns within the program
The research was conducted during the summer of 2015 by a Feinstein research team embedded with the DRC in southern Turkey as part of an “action research” collaboration. The lessons in the report provide DRC (and others) clear guidelines about what worked well and how the program could be improved.
The Feinstein International Center has provided an informative video abstract on their site.