Global

What are humanitarian cash transfers?, Humanitarian cash transfers are payments made in the form of physical currency or e-cash that can be used to address humanitarian needs in any type of emergency. They are a highly effective way of providing humanitarian assistance to individuals and households., How do cash transfers work?, Cash can be provided as a one-off payment or as regular monthly transfers. These transfers can be delivered as currency via bank accounts, post offices, companies providing money transfer services, through the use of mobile phones, or simply by hand. Cash transfers can be given as a standalone payment and/or combined with other types of services…, Who is eligible for cash transfers?, Determining who will benefit most from humanitarian assistance is a critical step in designing cash transfer programmes, which should be tailored to the specific contexts of a given country or emergency. A range of targeting criteria are used to identify households most in need of support. Per its mandate, UNICEF usually targets families with…, Why are humanitarian cash transfers a good idea?, Humanitarian cash transfers help UNICEF serve children and families better. They are a cost-effective way of quickly getting support to those who need it most. The overall cost of delivering cash assistance is often lower than in-kind assistance, meaning more people can be reached. Cash transfers also empower people to make decisions based on…, Does UNICEF use humanitarian cash transfers?, Yes, humanitarian cash transfers have been a vital part of UNICEF’s emergency toolkit for responding to conflicts, disasters and protracted crises. UNICEF uses its expertise in both social protection system strengthening and in the direct delivery of cash, to fulfill its humanitarian and development mandate. UNICEF’s first choice when giving cash…

2022 has seen an unprecedented rise in humanitarian needs. In those contexts, humanitarian cash transfers are one of the most efficient ways in which UNICEF can support children and families and restore their dignity. Implementing an HCT programme requires UNICEF to manage high volumes of data. Data used in humanitarian cash transfer programs is…

UNICEF’s recent experience in Ukraine suggests that humanitarian crises both necessitate innovation to enhance responsiveness; and can be critical in driving innovation forward. While the human cost of this war has been well-covered, it is worth underlining the magnitude of these impacts. The United Nations estimates that within Ukraine, there are…

A disability-inclusive humanitarian action has implications for budgeting and resource mobilization. As part of humanitarian action, children with disabilities need to be included in planning, mobilizing, and allocating resources. This short guide addresses those aspects. It introduces considerations in inclusive budgeting, how to estimate the…

Subnational governments around the world are increasingly responsible for public service functions that are essential to expanding coverage, equitable access and quality of services for children and young people. Across education, health, social and child protection, and water and sanitation sectors, devolved regional and local governments are…

In 2020, COVID-19 exposed deep inequalities that have existed for too long, with the worst impact on children in the poorest countries and communities and those already disadvantaged by discrimination, social exclusion, fragility and conflict.  Responding to COVID-19: UNICEF’s 2020 key achievements highlights how COVID-19 affected children and how…

2020 has not turned out as planned. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact populations around the world, governments have been forced to take a fresh look at their spending and how to meet additional costs of pandemic response as they expect a fall in revenue. Budget information has become even more critical., Critical knowledge, When it comes to children, it is important to have a detailed view of spending in key areas like health, education, social protection and water and sanitation. Without this, it is difficult to know what services are supported or how money has been spent. Although total spending on health has increased in many countries as part of the COVID-19…, The economic fallout of COVID-19, As the pandemic continues, the impact on children is increasingly evident. As a result of disrupted schooling,  according to the World Bank , children stand to lose the equivalent of $872 of their future earnings per year— a global loss of over $10 trillion. Progress on infant mortality will be set back by between five and 15 years; and  deaths…, Essential to recovery, As the Myanmar, Tunisia and Somaliland examples show, improved budget transparency is not only central to an inclusive recovery but also encourages governments and partners to come together to identify more effective ways to achieve policy outcomes. It is vital to monitoring spending, improving efficiency and ensuring resources are used…, Building a resilient future, We are living in unprecedented times where every national and local government is forced to adapt and learn. Clear data on budgets, reprioritization and implementation of budgets will help us understand the impact of spending decisions on children’s lives. UNICEF continues to work with governments and partners including the  International Budget…

Children are twice as likely to live in poverty as adults, and a staggering 385 million children, or one in five, are struggling to survive on less than US$1.90 a day. Poverty is about more than income, and over 660 million children are estimated to be living in multidimensionally poor households, again with poverty rates consistently higher than…

Across the world, 385 million children are struggling to survive on less than US$1.90 a day, and more than 663 million – or 1 in 3 – are living in multidimensionally poor households. Social vulnerabilities, resulting from personal characteristics and societal dynamics such as age, disability, ethnicity and gender, further compound the impacts of…

Nearly two thirds of children around the world are not covered by social protection, even though some 689 million live in poverty and deprivation, a report released by UNICEF and ILO earlier this year highlights. Social protection covers the range of programmes and policies needed to shield children from the immediate and lifelong consequences of…

The best way to build tomorrow’s human capital is by investing in today’s people — especially in children and young people, across both decades. Their health, education, opportunities and protection matter to the future of their countries — and to the future of our world. Innovative financing mechanisms like the Global Financing Facility offer a…