Evaluation of Cash Transfer Pilot Project in Western Province, Zambia

Overview

Oxfam GB provided an unconditional, monthly cash transfer to up to 13,500 households n Kaoma and Mongu Districts, Western Province, from November 2005 to March 2006. The purpose of the project was to support households to achieve short-term food security without having to employ harmful coping strategies, and to prevent malnutrition. Cash transfers are an alternative to food aid and are a relatively new type of intervention. this mid-term evaluation was therefore carried out in January 2006, in addition to post-distribution monitoring and planned final evaluation. Its main objectives were to: provide a qualitative picture of the impact the cash transfers are having in a household, particularly in terms of gender, HIV and AIDS; document unintended impacts, both positive and negative; assess accountability mechanisms; and provide recommendations for immediate uptake by the programme and for long term learning.