KACHIN STATE6 November 2015

Cash Based Interventions Agencies1. Conditional Cash Grants DRC, Oxfam, KMSS, World

Vision Myanmar, Myanmar Red Cross Society, Shalom Foundation, ICRC, (UNDP, UNHCR, WFP)

2. Unconditional Cash Grants

Oxfam, KBC

3. Vouchers Metta Development Foundation

4. Cash for Work (Planned) ICRC

Backyard gardening Tailoring Piggery Mushroom cultivation Soap making Fishing Hair dressing Amber gemstone cutting and polishing Motorbike repairs Grocery shops

Market Access- Most of the camps in GCA have access to

markets.- Some camps along the boarder have

problems with markets access due to location, accessibility to suppliers, bad roads and restrictions imposed by military

- Beneficiaries in some NGCA have problems accessing markets because of documentation required to pass through Chinese control points

SN Camp Name Location

1. Shing Chyang Boarder Region

2. Hpare Hkyet Boarder Region

3. Hkaw Shau Boarder Region

4. Jan Mai/Pa Jaw Boarder Region

5. Maga Yang Boarder Region

6. Mung ga Zup Boarder Region

Products are available in most of the markets in GCA

This includes both food and NFIs There is also a large number of traders in the

markets Beneficiaries in Camps close to also have

freedom to access the non IDP markets in towns

Some items like fresh farm produce are brought to the camps by traders

Generally prices are stable with the current demand- market equilibrium exits with the current demand and supply forces

Non of the current programs has reported inflation due to CBIs even those targeting all the beneficiaries in the camps

Seasonal variations in prices exist Smaller markets may not perform well if there

is an increase in demand Targeted interventions not likely to cause

imbalances

In the GCA where there is access to markets, beneficiaries are willing to receive cash. Camps around main towns are happy to receive cash

There are worries about possible price increases in some markets especially those with limited access in NGCA.

Food items, education, health and NFIs topped the list of things that money would be spent on if it was unconditional

SN Risks Comments1 Security issues There is possibility for

security incidents in the border region

2 Possible conflict between hosts and IDPS

The host communities may stop IDPs from going to the market if there are price increases because of CBIs

3 Localized inflation In Kashang town, the rice prices went up 3 times within 2 months after WFP failed to deliver food to the IDPs because of access problems

4 Abuse of cash There is a possibility that man can abuse the money eg buy alcohol and drugs

Conditions exist for the successful implementation of CBIs in most of the locations. Many of the camps in both GCA and NGCA have access to markets and beneficiaries are happy with CBIs being introduced in their locations.

It is recommended that market assessment should be carried out in the camps located outside the main towns especially in NGCA.

A comprehensive market analysis should be conducted before selecting activities to be supported through cash grants - There is potential for saturating the markets.

Coordination meetings- CWG should be activated as soon as possible. This will enable agencies to share experiences, best practices, lessons learnt.

Voucher interventions should be considered especially where aid is targeted. Detailed market analysis will have to be carried out before any voucher interventions are implemented.

Creating marketing links between beneficiaries (producers) and external markets. Helping the IDPs to access outside markets will make these interventions sustainable

Ensure that there is a complaints and response mechanism (CRM) in place so that beneficiaries can report protection issues and other abuses immediately.

Support to host communities – there is significant potential to support local supply and demand of commodities and labour and thus promote refugee and host livelihoods, and stimulate local economic development. Current interventions were designed as a knee jerk response to the displacement crisis and are not designed to support local markets and livelihoods.