Cash or vouchers?

Another busy day in Kathmandu, attended UN offices for presentation on various forms of cash transfer. The immediate needs in the hills are being met by helicopter and truck . We managed to get an extra helicopter delivery out yesterday provided by the Indian army as it was available at the airport without a task ( bit like buses either none at all or they all come at once!)
Cash transfer is one of the options whereby we can provide money to the beneficiaries so they can quickly and easily buy local goods such as fertiliser or green vegetables. Of course care needs to be taken to ensure this is done in a co-ordinated way and is only applicable for limited goods. The idea is to use it to support , but not replace, other physical relief materials. Hence the meeting today, on balance the idea of vouchers seem best, so we will be looking at this option in the future.
We have also had an offer of financial help to deliver rice and vegetable seeds in our working area. I am busy preparing a costing for this to be submitted tomorrow.