Unblocked Cash brings more than financial support for people with disabilities in Vanuatu

The successive impacts of COVID-19 restrictions and category 5 Tropical Cyclone Harold in Vanuatu  in March and April 2020 resulted in a significant reduction in income and livelihoods across Vanuatu. The impacts of this double-disaster were particularly felt among households and people with pre-existing vulnerabilities. 

In order to address these needs, the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) supported local partners to deploy a large-scale innovative cash transfer response – Unblocked cash. Through e-voucher cards, vendor phones and computer dashboard monitoring, the Unblocked cash program provides a safe, easy and efficient way to disperse relief funds to communities. Importantly, it allows those most in need to buy what they need, when they need it. 

The Unblocked Cash program began with a cash feasibility study under the AHP Disaster READY program. This feasibility study was undertaken to understand the Vanuatu context when it came to cash responses to disasters, and to socialise the concept with relevant stakeholders, including governments, businesses and communities. The program is led by Oxfam in Vanuatu and other AHP partners include World Vision Vanuatu, ADRA Vanuatu, Save the Children Vanuatu and the Vanuatu Christian Council.

“By providing cash, it puts the power back in the hands of those who have been most affected by disaster to respond to their own needs, and when you empower individuals to respond to their own needs they can recover much quicker,” said World Vision Vanuatu Country Director, Kendra Derousseau.

Increasing Accessibility

Above: Disability advocate, Albert Bala, with an e-voucher provided through the Unblocked Cash program. For people with disabilities, this voucher represented more than simply the ability to buy essential items following TC Harold and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It meant they could make their own decisions around what they needed and provide for their families. Image: Oxfam in Vanuatu / Arlene Bax.

For 61 year-old polio survivor and disability advocate Albert Bala, receiving an Unblocked Cash e-voucher meant more than just gaining access to food and other material needs. Albert viewed the card as a sign of recognition and freedom. 

“With the card I can go down to the stores where I can use the card and I can buy things that I need, but that is also a time that I can walk around and meet with people. Before I did not have any access to go out, I just stayed at home. I wasn’t able to go see friends or anything like that, but when the card is in my hands then I can go shopping and meet friends.”

“The card has made a big change, I think to a lot of us with disability. When we use the cards, we have access to the same foods as other people, so the card has made a big difference.”

“I think that there are a lot of people that ignore us, but when Unblocked Cash came they ensured that we had access, and I see that now some people have changed their way of thinking and want to help people with disability,” Albert explained.

In many homes, the individual recipients of the voucher card were the ones who provided for the needs of their family members and ensuring there was food in the house following TC Harold and though our the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Chief Shem Simeon from Kingscross in Tanna, highlighted what this meant for people, particularly those who may not have been in a position to provide for their families without the cards. 

“It has been a big change for them. With the cards the elderly and people with disability are able to help their families,” Chief Shem said.

The Chief also explained how the Unblocked Cash program’s approach to including everyone started to shift some perceptions within his community. 

"Those who are widows, elderly or have a disability, they don’t have any power but now people start to think about them. Now people know that they are important and have the same rights as others. They are empowered and respected,” he said.

Changing Attitudes

Disability inclusion forms part of the training that vendors wanting to be involved in the Unblocked Cash program must undertake.

Boat transport and retail store vendor, Willie Boi, explained that this training and his involvement in the program more broadly, resulted in him considering people with a disability in a new light. 

“I learnt a lot in the training and helped me personally with how to look after people with a disability, those who have needs. Before I didn’t know, I would just ignore them,” Willie admitted. 

Willie now sees that he has a role to play to support people with a disability in rural areas, and he has started servicing tailored cargo orders for people with disability in the remote communities of west coast Santo. 

The Unblocked Cash program began in July 2020 and is scheduled to finish in May 2021.