The CALP Network Annual Report 2022-23

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect communities around the world, the wider impacts of the ongoing war in Ukraine across the globe, and the challenges of rising global inflation, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has grown and, sadly, this trend looks set to continue.

At CALP, we have worked to support those delivering cash and voucher assistance (CVA) in humanitarian settings wherever they may be. This year’s Annual Report tells some of the stories of how the CALP Network has grown and developed, and of key challenges and successes in working toward a future where people are enabled to overcome crisis with dignity, by exercising choice and their right to self-determination.

Over the course of this year, we have supported the implementation of a new coordination model for CVA locally and globally. The process has been challenging at times, but we have been pleased to see real progress in terms of work of the Cash Caucus and the establishment of a Cash Advisory Group of which we have been an active member. We continued to work closely with Cash Working Groups, we provided technical support where needed, shared information, and helped connect country, regional and global dialogues. There is still much to do to achieve the goal of more effective, more efficient, and more predictable cash coordination but progress is steadily being made.

We have continued our efforts to operate in a truly inclusive manner, bringing together the diverse range of organizations, people, and ideas involved in the network. The report includes some important stories around inclusivity, localization and expanding our reach within the CVA ecosystem. In this report, you can also read about our work focused on the delivery of CVA in hard-to-reach areas, our moves toward increasing reach in different areas of the world including re-establishing a presence to better support work in Asia-Pacific, and our ongoing efforts to ensure that non-Anglophone communities in our network are effectively engaged. We still have a long way to go and will continue working hard to support CVA actors from around the world, whatever their demographic, language, or professional interest. We believe that this is a key element of becoming a truly effective and inclusive network as part of the wider humanitarian community.

As we reflect on our achievements over the past year, we are mindful of learning that casts light on the path ahead. The purpose of compiling an Annual Report is not just to herald the positives from the previous twelve months, it also encourages reflection on the knowledge and understanding that will pave the way forward. Humanitarian crises continue the world over; and as we report on our achievements and acknowledge where we need to do better, we also have our eyes on the challenges that lie ahead of us.

The entire network retains a responsibility to optimize the use of cash and voucher assistance as one of the key humanitarian tools in an ever-changing global landscape. We invite you all to join us on this journey.