Income-Generating Activities - Action Against Hunger

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be carried out by a businessman rather than taking all the responsibility upon themselves.
It is possible to improve access to productive assets for vulnerable people by investing
in those who are in a better situation, always when there is an agreement
assuring that the most vulnerable people will benefit from the use of these assets.
Example 18: Repairing of agricultural machinery in Armenia
In the district of Sisian, in the south of Armenia, one of the obstacles for land cultivation
and income generation is the lack of access to necessary machinery. Through
an ACF programme to improve the population’s food security, a part of the cost of
repairing 22 machines in 9 villages was financed. The most vulnerable population received
discount coupons to pay for services carried out by the repaired machines.
II.II. Access to cash
In some cases economic access to productive assets and inputs is the most important
limitation faced by the population in developing their IGA. Depending on the vulnerability
of the population and their ability to pay, certain initiatives to promote cash
access can be put into place.
i. Donations
When the population is very vulnerable, they can receive donations or direct transfers
to finance their activities. This refers to the distribution of cash to restart IGA that
was explained in the earlier section. This alternative should not be continued for large
periods of time without an evaluation of the relevance and the risk of creating dependence.
After a crisis, in situations where there are not adequate conditions to restart IGA,
access to cash is a priority for the recuperation of food security, and programmes such
as ‘cash for work’ can be designed. Through the implementation of community work,
reconstruction, cleaning or other types of activities, the most vulnerable population
with the ability to work can take part in the initiative and receive payment in return.
In the books “Food Aid and Alternatives to Food Aid” of this same series or in the more
recent “Cash based Interventions guidelines”more details regarding this type of intervention
are available.
Example 19: Support to displaced people in Columbia
Colombia continues to suffer the consequences of an armed conflict that does not
appear to have a solution in the short term. The displaced population as well as those
confined to certain regions have lost their productive assets and with them the capacity
to generate incomes. To respond to their needs, ACF began promoting of IGA.
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INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES: A KEY CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURTIY