Social protection programs, such as the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) that provide regular and predictable additional financial support are critical to the ultra-poor in Malawi. Such programs can be complemented with interventions (cash+) that are layered on top of a cash transfer with the aim to foster greater resilience to climatic shocks and diversification of livelihoods for vulnerable households. During an October 12 virtual brown bag seminar Esther Mweso and Luciano Msunga from United Purpose (Malawi) together with Carlota Rego, program manager for social protection and resilience at the EU Delegation to Malawi, presented key findings and recommendations from a survey assessing the outcome of such a cash+ intervention.
A United Purpose-led consortium comprising of United Purpose, Save the Children and Concern Worldwide is implementing the Food and Nutrition for Resilience (FUTURE) program. Part of the Pro-Resilience Action (Pro-ACT) initiative funded by the European Union, FUTURE targets 35,461 social protection program beneficiaries in seven districts in Malawi with the aim to address existing food and nutrition security challenges among the poorest households by increasing their resilience to climate-related stresses and shocks. Program beneficiaries were taking part in cash+ interventions, which included livestock production, irrigation, village savings and loans (VSLs) groups, disaster risk reduction (DRR), natural resources management, crop diversification, nutrition and cash top ups.
Using panel data collected in July 2018 and August 2020 from 417 households in Mulanje, Nsanje and Zomba districts, and complemented by 16 key informant interviews and 7 focus group discussions, the survey sought to understand whether cash+ interventions enable improved resilience and dietary diversity and the extent to which the intended outcomes of the project have been achieved. The survey also investigated areas of the program that need to be improved. Findings of this survey will guide the implementation of the remaining activities under the current project, feed into the EU-funded Social Support for Resilience (SoSuRe) project, and inform other stakeholders in the design of future cash+ interventions.
Msunga highlighted that the household asset index of beneficiaries increased by 51% during the program duration with male headed households having more assets compared to female headed households. In terms of crop diversification, 92% of households cultivated more than two crops. This was seconded by up to 31% of households who cultivated 4-6 crops in the final year of the project, representing a 33% increase. Looking at the Crop Diversification Index (CDI), which is an index of concentration and diversity of crops within the farming system, results showed that an increase of 30% from 0.61 at the beginning to 0.79. Furthermore, the survey found a 22% increase in the adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies. 69% of surveyed households improved their dietary diversity between 2018 and 2020, with the average household dietary diversity score (HDDS) improving by 26%. In terms of the minimum acceptable diet (MAD), results showed that 21.4% of the children were meeting the minimum dietary diversity criteria compared to 8.1% at baseline.
The survey also found that 47% of households had knowledge of DRR strategies and response mechanisms in 2020 compared to 21.9% at baseline. Knowledge areas included reforestation, riverbank protection, early warnings systems, shelter reconstruction and drought management. Furthermore, the survey found that 70% of existing DRR structures were functioning in 2020.
Concluding the findings, Mweso highlighted improvements in four key areas:
- Asset ownership.
- Food and nutrition security.
- Coping with stresses and shocks.
- Knowledge and practice of DRR strategies and response mechanisms.
However, webinar participants noted that while these improvements are encouraging, the lack of data from a comparison group of households which did not benefit from the FUTURE program means that they cannot be reliably attributed to the cash+ intervention. Still, the before and after analysis does provide an indication that the program contributed to building resilience of the ultra-poor.
In her closing remarks, Rego presented key challenges and the way forward for the program. Being the first SCTP partner to introduce the cash+ intervention, there are still areas that need to be ironed out. The project is working on finding out which interventions are working and are appropriate for different groups, such as those with limited access to productive assets. It is important to make sure that the cash+ interventions are cost effective, sustainable and institutionalized by bringing them closer to the government’s SCTP. In closing, Rego stated that the program is currently working on a retargeting phase and a related exit strategy.
SlideShare available below. Presentation slides available as pdf file here. (PDF 3 MB)
Featured image: Photo credit United Purpose Malawi.
