Context
Given the wide range of needs across Myanmar and the continued functionality of local markets, affected populations consistently express a strong preference for cash assistance. Cash is adaptable for people on the move, provides flexibility and dignity to recipients, and offers faster, more cost-efficient assistance for humanitarian operations while enabling access to populations in all parts of the country. Global evidence shows that cash assistance is not riskier than other forms of aid and can often be tracked more effectively.
In the aftermath of the Earthquake Response in 2025, cash assistance, and multipurpose cash (MPC) in particular, were used as frontline emergency response providing quick and effective relief to the affected populations while strengthening the resilience of local markets.
Multipurpose cash
Despite the challenging environment, most partners in Myanmar increasingly see opportunities in the use of MPC because of its contextual utility.
The Cash and Markets Working Group (CMWG) updates its Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) annually to set the MPC transfer value: in 2026 the provisional recommended transfer per household is MMK 360,000 per month. The MEB is reviewed bi-annually with the World Bank using their country-wide market price monitoring data to check for inflation.
The MPC strategic guidance and the MEB technical notes have both been updated in 2025, outlining the principles of targeting, delivery and monitoring, using a new joint post-distribution monitoring tool.
Complementarity, linkages and deduplication
The CMWG ensures that cash and voucher assistance (CVA) is closely coordinated to maintain complementarity with sectoral responses. It works with the Food Security, Nutrition, Protection, Shelter, and WASH Clusters and their partners to strengthen multisectoral outcomes and prevent overlap in assistance. Linkages with emerging social protection initiatives, such as maternal child cash transfers and disability assistance, are also being reinforced to support longer-term resilience where feasible. At the same time, in 2026, the CMWG will be prioritizing and advancing deduplication efforts through improved data sharing and interoperability to ensure that MPC assistance reaches households efficiently, equitably, and without duplication.
Humanitarian Reset & MPC
The “Humanitarian Reset” highlights the importance of cost-effective solutions, a role that CVA is well-placed to play in Myanmar’s chronically underfunded context, operational markets and strong people’s preference. Data collected for the 2026 HNRP indicates an increase in both the number of people targeted and the budget allocated for MPC assistance compared to 2025, despite overall financial reductions.
Cash programming requirements
