The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review
This systematic review examines the effectiveness of social assistance programmes in protecting households in Africa—a region highly vulnerable to climate change, conflict, and other shocks—during periods of crisis. Despite the significant increase in the number of these programmes over the past two...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Artículo preliminar |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
United Nations University
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/163384 |
| _version_ | 1855521770173366272 |
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| author | Hirvonen, Kalle Justino, Patricia Oliveira, Rodrigo |
| author_browse | Hirvonen, Kalle Justino, Patricia Oliveira, Rodrigo |
| author_facet | Hirvonen, Kalle Justino, Patricia Oliveira, Rodrigo |
| author_sort | Hirvonen, Kalle |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | This systematic review examines the effectiveness of social assistance programmes in protecting households in Africa—a region highly vulnerable to climate change, conflict, and other shocks—during periods of crisis. Despite the significant increase in the number of these programmes over the past two decades, the need for emergency aid remains. Our review focuses on quantitative studies using microdata to assess the impact of these programmes on household income, poverty, assets, and food security outcomes during crises. We find that large, predictable, and consistent transfers are effective in protecting households and building resilience, as they enable households to accumulate buffer stocks and better plan for future shocks. However, challenges with timely implementation often hinder their effectiveness. Cash-plus programmes, which integrate consumption support with livelihood interventions, show particular promise in fostering long-term resilience, though the evidence base remains too limited to draw broader conclusions.
JEL classification: O15, H53 |
| format | Artículo preliminar |
| id | CGSpace163384 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publishDateRange | 2024 |
| publishDateSort | 2024 |
| publisher | United Nations University |
| publisherStr | United Nations University |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1633842025-12-08T10:11:39Z The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review Hirvonen, Kalle Justino, Patricia Oliveira, Rodrigo cash transfers households resilience social protection systematic reviews This systematic review examines the effectiveness of social assistance programmes in protecting households in Africa—a region highly vulnerable to climate change, conflict, and other shocks—during periods of crisis. Despite the significant increase in the number of these programmes over the past two decades, the need for emergency aid remains. Our review focuses on quantitative studies using microdata to assess the impact of these programmes on household income, poverty, assets, and food security outcomes during crises. We find that large, predictable, and consistent transfers are effective in protecting households and building resilience, as they enable households to accumulate buffer stocks and better plan for future shocks. However, challenges with timely implementation often hinder their effectiveness. Cash-plus programmes, which integrate consumption support with livelihood interventions, show particular promise in fostering long-term resilience, though the evidence base remains too limited to draw broader conclusions. JEL classification: O15, H53 2024-12 2024-12-11T18:47:42Z 2024-12-11T18:47:42Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/163384 en https://www.wider.unu.edu/project/strengthening-safety-nets-post-conflict-and-humanitarian-contexts Open Access United Nations University Hirvonen, Kalle; Justino, Patricia; and Oliveira, Rodrigo. 2024. The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review. WIDER Working Paper 2024/79. Helsinki: United Nations University. https://doi.org/10.35188/UNU-WIDER/2024/542-4 |
| spellingShingle | cash transfers households resilience social protection systematic reviews Hirvonen, Kalle Justino, Patricia Oliveira, Rodrigo The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review |
| title | The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review |
| title_full | The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review |
| title_fullStr | The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review |
| title_short | The role of social assistance in African crises: A systematic literature review |
| title_sort | role of social assistance in african crises a systematic literature review |
| topic | cash transfers households resilience social protection systematic reviews |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/163384 |
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