Women’s Resilience in Conflict: Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023, the country has witnessed a severe deterioration in economic and living conditions, with rising displacement levels, loss of livelihoods, and increasing food insecurity. Displaced and host community households face limited employment opportunities, high prices, and declining agricultural production, which has increased their vulnerability and reliance on humanitarian assistance.
Amid the ongoing conflicts in Khartoum, South Darfur – Korma Camp, and North Darfur – El Fasher, many conflict-affected women are exposed to multiple risks, including sexual exploitation and gender-based violence, alongside significant difficulties in securing their families’ basic needs.
Even before the conflict, a large proportion of households in Sudan were headed or economically supported by women. Since the outbreak of the war, women’s burdens have increased significantly, as many have become the sole providers for their immediate and extended families due to the loss, separation, or disappearance of male household members and the collapse of income sources.
Women-headed households now face severe economic hardship, limited employment opportunities, low levels of education and skills, and heightened vulnerability to food insecurity. These conditions also increase protection risks, including exposure to exploitation, abuse, and harmful coping mechanisms employed to secure food and basic necessities for their families. Existing gender inequalities further limit women’s access to resources, income opportunities, and decision-making, making them disproportionately affected by the ongoing crisis.

Project Objective
The project aims to economically and socially empower conflict-affected women by providing Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), enabling them to:
• Meet their families’ essential needs according to their priorities.
• Reduce dependence on humanitarian aid.
• Strengthen resilience against economic and social challenges.
Project Intervention Focus
The project places women, especially women-headed households, at the center of its interventions by:
1. Prioritizing women in livelihood activities and multi-purpose cash assistance.
2. Enhancing economic independence and reducing reliance on humanitarian aid.
3. Creating sustainable opportunities for economic recovery and improved food security.
Target Group
• 500 female household heads in the targeted areas
• Priority given to the most vulnerable women facing severe economic pressures
How the Project Works
1. Beneficiary Selection: Identify the most vulnerable women within the targeted areas.
2. Cash Assistance: Provide multi-purpose cash or vouchers that women can use to purchase essential needs according to their priorities.
3. Risk Mitigation: Reduce reliance on negative coping mechanisms that could expose women to sexual exploitation or forced labor.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Conduct Post-Distribution Monitoring to ensure safe and effective delivery of assistance and gather feedback to improve the process.
Key Project Indicators
• Number of women benefiting from cash assistance (500 targeted women)
• Percentage of women able to meet their families’ basic needs after distribution
• Decrease in reliance on negative coping mechanisms
• Monitoring reports indicate safe and effective use of funds
Expected Results
• Economic empowerment of women and reduction of financial burden on families
• Decreased risk of sexual exploitation and gender-based violence
• Increased self-reliance and independence for beneficiaries
• Support for social and economic stability in conflict-affected communities
Project Monitoring Focus Areas
• Safety and Privacy: Ensure assistance is delivered safely without exposing women to risks.
• Actual Use: Verify that vouchers and cash are used to purchase essential needs.
• Project Impact: Measure the effect of assistance on women’s resilience and economic independence.
• Potential Risks: Monitor for any signs of sexual exploitation or violence and address them immediately in coordination with relevant authorities.

Budget
• Total Project Cost: USD 450,000

Visualize Impact: Convert these metrics into infographics or progress bars for donor updates.

Storytelling: Pair each metric with a short story or example from a beneficiary.

Transparency: Show ongoing results to build trust and recurring support.

Focus on Outcomes: Emphasize how donations change women’s lives, not just inputs (money spent).