1. Vouchers Vouchers are a way of delivering assistance The program design (who to assist, what type of assistance) is a separate issue Vouchers are an alternative way of delivering assistance Vouchers can be used for shelter materials, or professional support, or other.

2. Distribution Or Vouchers? Distribution -Immediate relief -Fixed package for everyone -NGO transports good to distribution site Vouchers -Not immediate relief -Can offer choice to beneficiaries -Stimulates local economy -No transport or warehousing by NGO -Lots of monitoring required -Beneficiaries informed and make their own decisions

3. Vouchers Require: External: -Local availability of required goods -Operational markets (creating opportunities where required) Internal: -Good systems in place -Sufficient staff

4. Assessment i) Market assessment where do people go to market? what is the capacity of the vendors? what products are available? what are the prices? what are the stocks? are vendors interested in participating in a voucher program?

5. ii) Beneficiary assessment: Coping strategies, government response and unmet needs what items do people need, how much variation is there in needs; what are the differences between men and women’s needs, who will be targeted?

6. Decisions Based on Assessments Markets or Fairs Commodity or Cash

7. Markets or Fairs Markets: Established vendors; presence of other shoppers makes monitoring more difficult; fixed distance Fair: create a place, bring the vendors together

8. Commodity or Cash Voucher Commodity Voucher is for fixed items. - Beneficiaries go to market, choose vendor and quality of items Cash Voucher offers choice - Beneficiaries go to market and choos