Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Working Group: Cash-based humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka - Common messaging and frequently asked questions [EN/SI/TA]

1) What is cash-based humanitarian assistance?

Cash-based humanitarian assistance is the main type of aid provided by humanitarian organisations working in Sri Lanka. It allows crisis-affected people to purchase the food, products, and services they need. Cash assistance may be provided in the form of electronic transfers, where a person receives a cash transfer through technology, such as smart phones or electronic payment cards; or vouchers, which can be exchanged for a specific quantity or value of goods or services. Cash assistance comes with different types of conditions and restrictions. As part of the humanitarian response to the multi-dimensional crisis in Sri Lanka, most organisations providing cash assistance do so through multipurpose cash (MPC) assistance and/or restricted cash assistance.

MPC is regular or one-off cash transfers to cover a family’s needs for food, shelter, education, healthcare, water and sanitation facilities, and to earn a livelihood. The family is free to use the cash as they wish. Restricted cash assistance is designated for a certain use (such as nutrition) or to buy a certain item (such as food), the majority of which is provided through vouchers. Cash assistance programs are offered and funded by international donors, implemented by humanitarian organisations, and coordinated with the Sri Lankan government.

2) Why do humanitarian organisations provide cash assistance?

Cash assistance allows humanitarian organisations to provide crisis-affected people with support that can often be faster, more efficient, and more transparent than in-kind assistance (such as food or non-food items). Cash assistance can also boost local economies, by creating a demand for goods and services. This in turn can play a role in strengthening local infrastructure and markets.

3) Which humanitarian organisations are providing cash assistance?

Cash assistance is provided by some humanitarian organisations such as United Nations (UN) agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement, and international/national/local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in Sri Lanka. Some of these organisations include ACTED, AUL, Caritas, Community Development Foundation (CDF), ChildFund, CFCD, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Humanity & Inclusion, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jaffna Social Action Centre (JSAC), LEADS, Organisation for Elangai Refugees Rehabilitation (OfEER), Sarvodaya, Save the Children, Shanthiham, Sri Lankan Red Cross Society (SLRCS), TFIELD, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Voice Area Federation (VAF), World Food Programme (WFP) and World Vision Lanka. Of these, ACTED, ChildFund, IFRC, Save the Children, UNHCR, and World Vision Lanka provide MPC assistance, and the remaining organisations provide restricted cash assistance (designated for a specific use).

4) Where is cash assistance being provided?

Humanitarian organisations are currently implementing cash assistance programs in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, working with local government authorities and the Cash Working Group to coordinate operations and avoid duplication or gaps at the district level through meetings and harmonisation tools.

5) Is cash assistance free of charge?

Yes, all humanitarian assistance is free of charge, including cash, goods, services, and employment. Assistance provided by humanitarian organisations should never be given in exchange for political, economic, or personal gain. No one has the right to demand sexual favours or money for any assistance that you receive. The humanitarian community (UN agencies, RC/RC Movement, and international/national/local NGOs) aligns with a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse. If someone working for a humanitarian organisation has asked you to do something inappropriate, has asked you for money, or has demanded sexual favours in return for their help, you have the right to complain and to report any inappropriate behaviour, exploitation, or abuse. If you experience or witness any misconduct, you should report this to an organisation working in your area through their available feedback and complaints channels. Confidentiality is guaranteed and reporting will never prevent you from receiving assistance.

6) Am I eligible to receive cash assistance? How are humanitarian organisations prioritising people?

Due to limited resources, humanitarian organisations are unable to assist everyone. Humanitarian organisations and their staff work on principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality. This means that assistance must be given to the most vulnerable, and that assistance must be provided solely based on need, without discrimination because of a person’s gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, political affiliations, or any other basis. Although different organisations try to coordinate and harmonise eligibility and targeting criteria for cash assistance, there’ll be some differences from one organisation to another depending on their program objectives. In general, many organisations give priority to households with one or more of the characteristics mentioned below:

Demographic characteristics:

  • households with children (particularly households with children under the age of five, households with two or more children, households with children who are unable to attend school, or households with children whose health and/or safety are at risk);

  • households that are single-headed or women-headed households;

  • households where the primary breadwinner is a woman or an older person (age of 60 and above);

  • households with older people (age of 60 and above).

Socio-economic characteristics:

  • households with pregnant/lactating (breastfeeding) women;

  • households with people living with disabilities;

  • households with people that have no primary education;

  • households that have no income or assistance;

  • households that receive social assistance benefits such as the Samurdhi Programme;

  • households that have more than five people;

  • households with people that have chronic medical conditions.

Some organisations may consider other eligibility and targeting criteria not mentioned above, and these criteria may change over time. You can contact the organisation/s working in your area for more information.

7) What can be considered a household?

A ‘household’ is the most common standardised unit of measurement for the provision of humanitarian assistance. In Sri Lanka, statistics show the average household size is four people, so cash assistance is provided on this basis. It’s not possible at this time to make adjustments based on individual household sizes, as this would be operationally complicated to achieve. As such, households smaller or larger than the average of four people will still receive cash assistance for a household of four people.

8) Where can I find information about cash assistance in Sri Lanka, and how can I register?

To find information about cash assistance, contact your nearest Grama Niladhari office or the humanitarian organisation/s working in your area. To register for cash assistance, contact your local government office or representative, such as the District Secretariat, Divisional Secretariat or Grama Niladhari Division official. If you’re eligible for cash assistance, you’ll then be contacted by a humanitarian organisation working in your area, who’ll provide you with further details.

9) How much cash assistance can I receive if I am eligible?

In line with the Sri Lanka Cash Working Group Transfer Value Guidance Note, the recommended amount for MPC assistance between July and September 2022 was Rs. 18,500 per household per month for a maximum of three months. The recommended amount for MPC assistance between October and December 2022 is Rs. 25,000 per household per month for a maximum of three months. The recommended amounts for restricted cash assistance are outlined below:

[see p. 6]

10) Are there any limits on what I can purchase with cash assistance?

Cash assistance comes with different types of conditions and restrictions. As part of the humanitarian response to the multi-dimensional crisis in Sri Lanka, most organisations providing cash assistance are doing so through MPC assistance and/or restricted cash assistance. MPC assistance is regular or one-off cash transfers to cover a family’s needs for food, shelter, education, healthcare, water and sanitation facilities, and to earn a livelihood. The family is free to use the cash as they wish. Restricted cash assistance is designated for a certain use (such as nutrition) or to buy a certain item (such as food), the majority of which is provided through vouchers.

11) Can I register for a cash assistance program if I already receive government assistance or assistance from another humanitarian organisation?

If you already receive government assistance (such as from the Samurdhi Programme, Ministry of Health, or Ministry of Social Services) or assistance from another humanitarian organisation, you may also be eligible to receive additional cash assistance. To find out if you’re eligible for cash assistance, contact your nearest Grama Niladhari office or the organisation/s working in your area.

12) Why are humanitarian organisations collecting information like my bank account details or national identification card? What do organisations do with the information they collect about me and my family?

Humanitarian organisations need to collect basic information like bank account details to ensure the transfer can be made. National identification card numbers are used to coordinate data among humanitarian organisations, to ensure cash assistance reaches as many people as possible and to avoid the same people receiving cash multiple times. After the transfer is made, organisations might also collect data about you and your family to learn how the assistance is helping, how the program is performing, or know about other needs you and your family might have. All organisations have strict confidentiality and data protection policies and won’t share information about you and your family with any entities not involved in providing cash assistance. Organisations will ask you for your consent before collecting any additional data. You can say no if you don’t feel comfortable giving further information, and this will not affect the assistance you receive.

13) How will I know when a cash assistance program will start?

If you’re eligible and registered for a cash assistance program, the relevant humanitarian organisation working in your area will notify you of the date the transfer will be made, the location, and the service provider. They’ll also inform you how much cash assistance your family is eligible to receive. Staff from these organisations will be available to explain the process and answer your questions. You’ll be informed about the documents you need to provide and given time to prepare and present them.

14) How will I receive the cash assistance?

Humanitarian organisations are working to identify the financial service providers currently operational in each of the 25 districts in Sri Lanka. Once you’ve registered for cash assistance, inform the organisation providing the assistance of your preferred option for receiving the assistance (such as mobile money, Western Union transfers, or vouchers). Organisations will channel the cash to your preferred financial service provider where possible. This is to ensure that you and other families receive cash assistance in the most safe and convenient way.

15) Do I have to pay taxes on cash assistance?

No, assistance from humanitarian organisations isn’t taxed. According to the government-issued VAT exemption letter (2002), assistance paid by international charitable organisations (including the UN and specialised accredited agencies) isn’t included in calculating total monthly (annual) taxable income.

16) How long will these cash assistance programs last?

The length of cash assistance programs will be communicated by the humanitarian organisation/s working in your area at the time of distribution. The program’s size may differ depending on the funding available to each organisation, and what they can provide. In general, most organisations are now covering a maximum of three months of assistance. Some organisations might choose to give the cash monthly or give the amount for the three months in one payment; this depends on the logistics of the organisation.

17) Why didn’t I receive cash assistance yet?

Humanitarian organisations are working to reach as many crisis-affected people as possible, but for now, the assistance can’t cover everyone. If you’ve registered but haven’t been informed that you’ll receive cash assistance, you haven’t been selected yet. This could be because your family doesn’t meet the organisation’s eligibility criteria or because other families have been prioritised first. If you’ve been selected to receive cash assistance but had problems with the service provider or haven’t received what you think you are eligible for, you need to contact the organisation you registered with.

18) Will I be able to change my information after registering for a cash assistance program?

If you made a mistake when entering your data, or your information has changed, you need to contact the humanitarian organisation you registered with. You can also contact the organisation to remove your data altogether. If you experience or witness any misconduct, you should report this to the organisation/s working in your area through their available feedback and complaints channels. Confidentiality is guaranteed and reporting will never prevent you from receiving assistance.

19) What if I can’t easily access my bank account or another financial service provider?

You should contact the humanitarian organisation that you registered with and inform them. They should find another way of making a transfer or will give your information to another organisation that would be able to help you. When you register for cash assistance and when you receive a transfer, details for the available helpdesks or telephone hotlines will be communicated to you.

20) How can I give feedback or make a complaint about cash assistance?

You have the right to give feedback and make complaints. All humanitarian organisations try to provide good quality assistance and treat everyone with respect. If you feel you’ve been discriminated against based on your gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, political affiliations or any other basis, if you experience or witness any misconduct, or if you have any problems with the cash assistance provided, you can contact the organisation/s working in your area through their available feedback and complaints channel/s. Confidentiality is guaranteed and reporting will never prevent you from receiving assistance.