Cash in the City: Addressing food security needs in urban crises (Urban webinar #15)

The humanitarian world has made a significant shift towards using cash to help vulnerable people meet their needs, including food security. Despite a growing evidence base, much of our collective experience is in rural areas. How can cash-based approaches meet food security needs in urban crises? Is cash different in an urban context? What are the challenges and lessons learned? This webinar explored the shift towards humanitarian cash programming.

Presentations from CRS and NRC look at urban cash-based programming in Nigeria and Iran. The webinar was co-presented by the Global Food Security Cluster’s Food Security and Livelihoods in Urban Settings working group, and discussions drew in global perspectives from colleagues in WFP and the American Red Cross.

Speakers

Marianna Kuttothara, American Red Cross Society, opened the webinar with reflections on years of cash programming in rural and urban emergencies.

Giulia Frontini, Catholic Relief Services Nigeria, shared experiences of providing electronic food vouchers/cash in both rural and urban areas of North East Nigeria, to support displaced people fleeing Boko Haram violence. Giulia focused on targeting, selection of vendors/markets, community participation and security.

Anthony Dutemple, Norwegian Refugee Council Iran, talked about NRC's experiences with cash responses across the MENA region, and in particular about a new cash programme for Afghan refugees in Iran. His presentation looked at distribution modalities and integrating protection outcomes

Tahir Nour, World Food Programme, joined the discussion/Q&A, reflecting on WFP's global urban experiences with cash for food security.