Take a look why Oxfam is providing cash support to families in violence affected Assam

Take a look why Oxfam is providing cash support to families in violence affected Assam

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Cash transfer to help affected families get access to food in #Assam. 8 images from the ground show why. http://bit.ly/1hOcvwb

@Oxfam is giving cash support to families in #Assam. 8 images from the ground tell the complete story . http://bit.ly/1hOcvwb

Oxfam India, with support from European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is directly transferring cash to the violence affected poor families households in the Bodo Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) of Assam.

The step has been taken to enable people to buy food and avoid hunger.

Initial assessments in Assam established that food is available in local markets, but many people do not have enough money to buy adequate amounts because of rising prices and unemployment. 

Distributing cash is therefore the most effective means of intervention in this case, and has been successfully implemented by Oxfam in a number of other countries experiencing emergency situations.

Here are 8 images from the ground, showing Oxfam distributing cash to families in Assam.

Members of the community with their cash transfer cards in Bhawraguri Camp, Titaguri block in Kokrajhar district.

Members of the community with their cash transfer cards in Bhawraguri Camp, Titaguri block in Kokrajhar district.

Cash support being provided to the community. 

A woman signing up for cash transfer support.

Cash support being provided to the community. 

A woman signing up for cash transfer in Bandhal Kocha village, Sidli block, Chirang district.

Members of the community with their cash transfer cards in Bandhal Kocha village, Sidli block, Chirang district.

Members of the community with their cash transfer cards in Khakrabari village, Sidli block, Chirang district.

Why Cash transfer?

Cash is being provided to those who do not have enough money, are struggling to find work, or have accumulated debt – this was to empower families to take control over their household budgets and prioritise their own needs and expenditure. 

Alongside other livelihood interventions, distributing cash can help to lift people out of poverty, support local economies, and promote longer-term development. 

Cash can also improve people’s ability to access safe water. We found that it can lead to improved social outcomes for women and children and their families by giving them better access to resources such as food, household items, payment of school fees; and additional nutrition for children.

Written by: Oxfam India staff

Photos credit: Oxfam India