ERF 27th Annual Conference
Unconditional Cash-based Assistance to the Poor: What Do At-scale Programs Achieve?
No.
ERF27_95
Publisher
ERF
Date
May, 2021
Topic
D7. Analysis of Collective Decision-Making
I3. Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
O1. Economic Development
We study the effects of large, temporary income changes on a wide range of economic wellbeing indicators among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Using a regression discontinuity design, we show that an unconditional cash transfer program (USD 2,100) and a food voucher program (USD 1,620) generate immediate, positive effects on consumption, child well-being, food security, and livelihood coping strategies. We find no evidence that any program effects persist even at six months after transfers end. Cash savings and the stock of durable goods increase while receiving assistance, but households liquidate and spend these assets during or soon after the beneficiary period.
Research Fellows
Onur Altindag
Associate Professor of Economics (with tenure), Bentley...
Authors
Stephen D. O’Connell
Assistant Professor of Economics, Emory University