Digital technologies for cash and voucher assistance in disasters: A cross-case analysis of benefits and risks

Abstract

The adoption and utilization of digital technologies which support cash and voucher assistance (CVA) in the humanitarian sector is expanding. This research addresses the risks and benefits of digitalization across three major stages of CVA programmes: identification and registration, transfer of value, and monitoring and tracking. Through an analysis of 18 cases, benefits are evaluated through three dimensions: cost, time, and quality, while risks are assessed with respect to the operational context. Findings reveal that context-specific risks related to data security, infrastructure, financial inclusion, accessibility and availability of services for beneficiaries and humanitarian actors limit the extent to which technologies may be used, impacting cost-efficiency, timeliness, and quality of CVA programmes.