28 November 2023

Humanitarian cash transfers explained

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…
04 January 2021

The science of love in childhood

Why is love so important in childhood?, In this ground-breaking new series by UNICEF, Laura Mucha – author, poet and children’s advocate – interviews some of the world’s leading experts to find out.  The series sets out to cover how adversity impacts us as children and the adults we become, what we can do to protect and improve young people’s mental health, and why safe and loving…, Dr. Vikram Patel, Professor of Global Health, Harvard Medical School, Dr. Patel explains why our mental health is our greatest personal asset, and how it impacts a range of human experiences including our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and decisions. He explains how poor mental health can affect anyone, in any society, and also explores some of the common, universal interventions to promote good mental health for…, Cornelius Williams, Associate Director and global Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF, We hear about Cornelius’s experiences in delivering child protection programmes and interventions around the world. He talks about the importance of changing both attitudes and laws to prevent violence against children, and how investing in support for children and families in the early years is one of the best investments governments can make to…, Dr. Bernadette Madrid, Director of the Child Protection Unit of the University of the Philippines Manila - Philippine General Hospital, We hear from Dr. Bernadette Madrid about the impact of adverse childhood experiences on children’s mental and physical health and life outcomes. She explores some of the risk factors contributing to adversity in childhood, both before and after birth, and how universal support for parents is vital to help break the inter-generational cycle of…, Aaron Greenberg, Senior Regional Advisor for Europe and Central Asia, Child Protection, UNICEF, Aaron shares how his upbringing and experiences helped to inspire his work advocating to reform childcare and protection systems around the world. He explores ways that governments can support vulnerable parents and caregivers and help keep families together, by building trust and providing tailored services within the community., Dr. Daniel Siegel, child psychiatrist, professor and author, Dr. Siegel explores the idea of love as a vital force of life which is essential for helping children grow and thrive. He explains how our attachments with parents and caregivers in early childhood can affect our relationships throughout life, and why we need to invest in more caring and collaborative communities to support children and their…