The Mercy Corps Blog
A daily look into the work, thoughts and ideas of our team around the world.
Blog Post Posted May 22, 2009, 12:46 pm by Dan Sadowsky
Response team begins distributing cash vouchers
Today our team in Mardan began distributing cash vouchers to families affected by the violence in Pakistan. The vouchers are redeemable for a $45 check that can be cashed at numerous local banks. Over the next four months, Mercy Corps will deliver vouchers to 20,000 affected families.
We chose to do cash transfers to help affected families get what they need quickly and respond to their wide-ranging and disparate needs.
Of the initial 1,300 families, 300 are what we call "host" families — those sheltering the displaced. Estimates are that 75 to 80 percent of the displaced are living in existing communities rather than tent camps, which is placing severe strain on host communities.
Based on our assessments, we anticipate host families spending the money on bedding (mattresses, sheets and pillows) and kitchen items (plates, cups, cooking pans) to help accommodate the large numbers of additional people living in their home. Most of the families fleeing the violence left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
This program is essentially a pilot for a wider distribution — officially approved today by the U.S. Office of Disaster Assistance — to a total of 20,000 families in the area.
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About Dan Sadowsky
Dan Sadowsky is Content Lead for Mercy Corps.
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IDP crisis worsens by the day
Posted May 27, 2009 7:47 am by John Stephens
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On Monday, May 25, 2009 (9:00 am), Arshad wrote:
Where many other non-government agencies, army, and government are providing in-kind aid (food, shelter, bedding, water, health services etc.) it seems very appropriate to give cash to the affected families. As all families may have specific needs, which is not fulfilled by the aid agencies, they can meet those needs with the cash provided through Mercy Corps. In the next stage, may I suggest planners to consider giving some work (may be minimal) to the adult males for getting cash support. The work may be within camps or related with camps, this will help in giving and retaining their confidence that they are earning their livelihood.
The efforts by MC are appreciable, all the best in your efforts.
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