TUR_20171114_WFP-Deniz_Akkus_0055 Deniz Akkus/UNWFP

The Power of Cash for Refugees

The delivery of cash assistance has already proved invaluable to Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. In particular, Turkey’s EU-funded Emergency Social Safety Net has enabled some 1.6 million refugees to meet their own essential needs and empowered them to participate in the local economy.

ROME – The world is experiencing the highest levels of forced migration on record. Conflict, natural disasters, and other emergencies have driven more than 70 million people from their homes, about 26 million of whom have become refugees. They often endure long and treacherous journeys, after which they have to figure out how to rebuild their lives. Fortunately, there are ways to help these refugees and the local economy where they now live.

In these times of political division and disagreement, some will no doubt question whether humanitarian assistance can truly be effective. But there is strong evidence that innovative and flexible approaches to humanitarian assistance can make a major difference in an efficient, cost-effective way.

The delivery of cash assistance is one such approach, and it has already proved invaluable to Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. In particular, Turkey’s Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) has enabled some 1.6 million refugees not only to meet their own essential needs, but also to participate in the local economy.

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