Cash Consortium of Iraq Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance and Access to Critical Services for the Most Vulnerable Conflict Affected Households in Iraq The Cash Consortium for Iraq (CCI), along with national partner Rehabilitation, Education And Community Health (REACH), request a $2,500,000 contribution from the IHPF to directly support 2,309 conflict-affected households (HHs) with multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA) to meet critical basic needs and reduce use of negative coping strategies in conflict-affected out-of-camp communities across underserved districts of  Iraq. This program is specifically in response to gaps in service provision targets outlined in the 2019 MPCA Chapter of the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). The program design primarily addresses HRP Strategic Objective (SO) 1 (Post-conflict transition towards durable solutions) while also contributing to SO 2 (Ensuring the centrality of protection) and SO 3 (Strengthening contingency planning and preparedness). 

The CCI’s proposed response includes:


Provide 4,331 MPCA transfers to at least 2,309 extremely vulnerable households affected by armed conflict or affected by a shock, generating humanitarian needs that cannot be covered by existing national services
Facilitate referrals for 415 vulnerable households to access complementary and critical humanitarian and national services including non-contributory social protection programs.

CCI partners Mercy Corps (lead agency), Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) will leverage this opportunity to collaborate with REACH Iraq-- a leading national organization with demonstrated capacity for and experience with MPCA programming. Efforts across these four implementing agencies will maximize reach and efficiency, and leverage already obtained access and established relationships with communities across Cash Working Group (CWG) target areas. 

The proposed project will be implemented in priority districts with unmet needs among out-of-camp communities and gaps in MPCA coverage. Proposed locations include Ramadi and Fallujah (Anbar governorate) Khanaquin and Baquba (Diyala governorate) Telafar, Telkaif and West Mosul (Ninewa governorate) and Balad, Tikrit, Tooz and Samarra districts (Salah al-Din governorate). CCI and REACH Iraq will prioritize addressing existing assessed caseloads whenever possible (whether those internally identified by CCI or via other CWG or Shelter/NFI partners) under this proposed program. A total of over 2,000 assessed HHs have been identified by the CCI across the proposed priority areas. Data sharing agreements are already in place with a number of CWG partners to facilitate potential transfer of caseload. Proposed coverage locations are shown by partner in Annex 1. CCI partners have also identified Anaa and further locations in Ramadi (Anbar) and Muqdadiya (Diyala) as contingency areas. With offices across 11 governorates (including the governorates prioritized under this award-- Anbar, Diyala, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din), CCI partners have expansive infrastructure to enable reach and access at scale. 

The CCI represents a mature consortium model governed according to structures that have been in place and iteratively refined since its formation in early 2015. Since its formation, the CCI has delivered cash assistance to over 75,000 HHs across 10 governorates. This proposed program represents the first time the CCI will partner with an Iraqi organization, REACH Iraq, for MPCA implementation. REACH Iraq has demonstrated experience in MPCA implementation aligned with CWG guidance, and is well-positioned to work collaboratively with mentorship as needed from, and exchange of experience with CCI. While REACH Iraq will not be a full CCI partner, this IHF award will provide an opportunity for familiarization between CCI partners and REACH Iraq in working alongside each other to share experiences and learning regarding MPCA implementation.