Cheryl Harrison

Cheryl Harrison is the Deputy Country Director at the World Food Programme (WFP), where she has been instrumental in leading initiatives related to cash-based transfers. In her role, she emphasizes the importance of cash assistance as a flexible and effective means to support vulnerable populations, especially in the context of global food crises exacerbated by factors such as conflict and climate change.13

Professional Background

• Current Position: Deputy Country Director at WFP since 2020, based in Rome, Italy. She previously served as WFP's Deputy Director for Cash-Based Transfers from 2016 to 2020, focusing on implementing cash assistance programs in countries like Uganda.2
• Expertise: Cheryl specializes in cash and voucher assistance, financial inclusion, and empowering women through economic opportunities. Her work involves ensuring that cash transfers not only meet immediate needs but also contribute to longer-term economic resilience.14

Contributions

Cheryl Harrison advocates for the transformative potential of cash assistance, which now constitutes a significant portion of WFP's global portfolio. She highlights that cash can stimulate local economies and provide recipients with more autonomy over their spending choices.1 Moreover, her initiatives aim to improve financial inclusion for women, enabling them to gain access to banking services and enhance their financial independence.13

Cheryl is also active on social media platforms where she discusses topics related to humanitarian assistance and economic empowerment, reflecting her commitment to addressing global hunger challenges through innovative solutions.4