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CASH PROGRAMME REVIEW FOR IDPs IN KABUL INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS 7Access to functional marketsFavourable access to markets in urban locations, the size of the markets in Kabul, with a populationof 5 million inhabitants, and the comparatively small population of KIS inhabitants, with an estimationof approximately 35,000 individuals over 55 sites, all mitigate the fear of inflationary risks due to cashdistribution. Moreover, in the case of DRC, its programme is aimed at eleven of these camps. It istherefore unlikely that cash assistance as such will put pressure on market demand for these itemsand will have minimum adverse impact on prices. The only caveat is one of seasonality. Thoughtraders and wholesalers in Kabul have the financial capacity to meet the local demand, they cannotguarantee provision of these items to the local market consumers at regular prices throughout theyear. Difficulty in supply and risks of inflation in the winter, however, put in question the effectivenessof cash grants as an alternative to in-kind during this season. Considering needs and demands arehigh, complementary in-kind assistance in form of fuel and food seem adequate – even crucial –during the cold season.Security of the environmentSecurity conditions are essential for planning the distribution of money and ensuring monitoringthroughout the project. In the KIS, a pre-condition to the development of cash programmes is thepreliminary assessment of security conditions inside each community to mitigate risks ofmisappropriation and misuse. Security was not reported as a major concern by respondents in thesurvey and security did not appear to be an obstacle to the provision of cash assistance. The caveatin this case is the requirement for specific Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) mechanisms that involvecommunities through a public process to mitigate tensions and misappropriations, and to avoidmaking a secure setting more insecure by injecting cash in an overall poor and vulnerable community.Cash-based assistance: Perceptions of IDP Households in the KISIn our sample, 90% of respondents mentioned having received assistance since their settlement inthe camp, mainly in the form of fuel (88%), food (81%) and clothing (70%). Preferences for food andcash remain constant regardless of seasons, underlining the fact that food remains a constant needincomes are unable to meet, and that cash is perceived as an appropriate way to satisfy other urgentneeds. The top three preferences for assistance during the winter are food (30% of male respondents,33% of female respondents), cash (28% of males and 32% of females) and fuel (26% and 28%respectively). Only 10% of males and 4% of females mentioned preferences for assistance in theform of shelter and housing. Lastly, preferences for training and job placement increase outside ofthe winter – when respondents are less in an emergency situation.Households recognize that cash assistance can have an impact on their behaviour towards seekinghealth treatment: if they were to receive cash, 33% of households stated intending to spend the cashdirectly on health care. Similarly, levels of indebtedness cannot be addressed through emergencyinterventions or training, with households highlighting the role of cash assistance in lightening theirburden of debt.II.How to use cash assistance for IDPs in the KIS? Recommendations forDRCHaving assessed the potential of cash-based assistance to positively impact IDP households in theKIS, and allow them to step out of a cycle of poverty and indebtedness, the report providesactionable recommendations for DRC and other stakeholders working in the KIS.Specifically, the report recommends:1. Two cycles of – seasonal – interventionsShort-term relief intervention in the winter and longer-term intervention centred on recovery oflivelihoods and development of income opportunities.