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CONVERGENCE IN THE SAHEL: Linking Humanitarian Cash Assistance and National Social Protection Systems Summary

1 Background & Key Messages

Convergence

• Definition: Effective coordination and alignment of humanitarian and development initiatives toward a shared national vision for social protection. Merging separate elements for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
• Importance: Aids cross-learning, prevents duplication, ensures better coverage, reduces transaction costs, speeds up response times. Crucial in the Sahel due to compounded crises limiting fiscal space.
• Nature: A fluid concept where some program elements are easier to harmonize than others.

SAHES Context

• Growing overlap between humanitarian assistance (short-term, volatile contexts) and national social protection systems (long-term, predictable, focuses on structural poverty).
• Opportunities exist, especially in protracted crises, to better connect humanitarian assistance to national social protection systems.

Factors Influencing Convergence

• Enablers: Mature/trusted national systems, established partnerships & collaboration history, government leadership (especially for adaptive systems), alignment with global commitments (e.g., Common Donor Approach), donor funding/ administrative policies.
• Barriers:
  • Irreconcilable program elements/ conflicting priorities/objectives
  • Insufficient government leadership & political economy issues (winners/losers)
  • Incompatible administrative procedures/data systems
  • Lack of awareness of global commitments
  • Short funding cycles vs. government planning cycles
  • Vested interests hindering changes

2 How is Convergence Understood?

• A study analyzes divergence through six country case studies in the Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal).
• Assesses convergence across 16 program elements grouped into categories: National Policy, Program Objectives, Program Design, Program Implementation, along a spectrum from Standalone/Parallel to National System Led Response/Piggybacking/Alignment.
• Convergence exists on a continuum rather than being an "either/or".

3 Main Highlights

Why isn't there more convergence?

• Maturity & Leadership: Countries with less mature systems and less government leadership see lower convergence (e.g., Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger vs. Senegal, Mauritania).
• Global Commitments but Limited Practice: Existence of (e.g., Common Donor Approach) but often not operationalized at country level. Donors sometimes fund parallel systems despite goals.
• Political Economy & Institutional Challenges: These are major hurdles across all countries, making convergence difficult. Different priorities, fears of loss of influence/resources, unclear mandates, competition between actors.

Opportunities for Greater Convergence

• Target Key Elements: Focus on potentially easier elements (e.g., payment system alignment, outreach coordination, same financial service provider) than harder ones (e.g., eligibility criteria, transfer values).
• Collaborate: Utilize existing coordination mechanisms, partnerships with local authorities/civil society, share information.
• Build on Commonalities: Use shared platform infrastructure, leverage common frontline delivery staff for outreach and communication.
• Registration/Data: While challenging (issues of interoperability & data protection), developing or harmonizing national registries can significantly aid convergence.

Five Key Recommendations

1. Prioritize Convergence: Make it an explicit goal to avoid funding parallel systems. Translate global commitments into action at country level.
2. Address Sensitivities: Acknowledge political economy challenges and actors' vested interests. Use dialogue to overcome disincentives.
3. Focus on Missed Opportunities: Leverage synergies (e.g., shared planning, payment systems) and find joint funders to increase resources. Avoid overlapping efforts.
4. Build Unified Tools: Develop shared identification, financial management systems, and service delivery platforms.
5. Be Patient: Prepare for a long-term process. Consensus building and sustained coordination are essential to overcome deep differences and inertia.

Endnotes & References (Summary Context)

• Studies support benefits but note potentials drawbacks like inadequate transfer values.
• Lists key enabling mechanisms (Coordination groups, National Response Plans etc.), summarizes relevant research (O'Brien et al., SASPP Flagship Report).
• Acknowledges the role of large donors (EU, UN Agencies) and identifies key obstacles.