Cash from the Ground up: Community cash grants in the Philippines

The Philippines faces a complex landscape of recurring hazards such as tropical cyclones, flooding, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, and was identified as the most disaster-affected country in the world in the 2023 World Risk Report. Some communities are more vulnerable due to higher exposure to these hazards, while others possess greater assets and capabilities to respond effectively. The Enhancing Resilient Communities (ERC) Flagship Initiative, a humanitarian change process piloted in four countries including the Philippines, seeks to empower these communities by decentralizing decision-making and enhancing community engagement for more locally led and people-centered responses. This report explores the role of community cash grants (CCG) in the Philippines, examining how this approach has supported at-risk communities, bolstered their resilience, and enabled them to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.