The delivery of humanitarian aid and its consequences on recipients’ livelihoods
This policy brief summarises the findings of small-scale pilot studies conducted in Pakistan investigating how humanitarian aid can be delivered in the most cost-effective way and how receiving humanitarian aid may shape recipients’ beliefs about the government’s effectiveness and legitimacy.
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Fajardo-Steinhäuser and Sarwar Policy brief November 2024.pdf
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- Two pilots were conducted with vulnerable women in Pakistan's Shikarpur and Rajanpur districts. The participants represented some of the most vulnerable populations in their communities, with households averaging just GBP 1 per day, experiencing frequent shocks, and reporting severe food insecurity.
- Preliminary results indicate that humanitarian assistance had a significant positive impact on mental wellbeing and food security, validating the effectiveness of aid delivery in alleviating immediate humanitarian needs.
- Contrary to common concerns when targeting women, the aid payments do not seem to have led to problems within the household. Only 3% of the women who disclosed the aid payment to their partner or other male household members (around 90% of recipients) reported that the payment caused any problems within the household.
- Humanitarian aid impacts recipients' political attitudes. The direction of these effects depends on who recipients believe is responsible for providing the aid.
- Cash aid is easier to access, but digital payments show potential for long-term efficiency and savings when recipients are supported.