Cash-based approaches in humanitarian emergencies

This review by Doocy and Tappis assessed and synthesised existing evidence on the effects of cash-based approaches on individual and household outcomes in humanitarian emergencies. They also assessed the efficiency of different cash-based approaches and tried to identify factors that hinder and facilitate programme implementation. Studies found that unconditional cash transfers led to greater improvements in dietary diversity and quality than food transfers. But food transfers were more successful in increasing per capita caloric intake than cash transfers and vouchers. Several studies also found unconditional cash transfers more effective than vouchers in increasing household savings, and equally effective in increasing household assets.