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Cash transfers amid shocks: A large, one-time, unconditional cash transfer to refugees in Uganda has multidimensional benefits after 19 months

Author

Listed:
  • Gupta, Prankur
  • Stein, Daniel
  • Longman, Kyla
  • Lanthorn, Heather
  • Bergmann, Rico
  • Nshakira-Rukundo, Emmanuel
  • Rutto, Noel
  • Kahura, Christine
  • Kananu, Winfred
  • Posner, Gabrielle
  • Zhao, K.J.
  • Davis, Penny

Abstract

Refugees in protracted displacement are often limited in their opportunities for income-generating activities and investments, making them dependent on aid for meeting basic needs. In the context of stretched humanitarian aid budgets, it is a necessary policy question to determine ways to increase refugees’ self-reliance. In this study, we combine a randomized controlled trial with extensive longitudinal qualitative data to explore the multidimensional impacts of a large, one-time, unconditional transfer of 1,000 USD to households of predominantly South Sudanese refugees living in protracted displacement in Uganda. Estimated after 19 months, we find that the transfer significantly increased households’ consumption, asset values, business ownership, business revenue, psychological well-being, and self-reliance. We find positive but insignificant effects on food security, migration, employment, or female empowerment. Overall, a large one-time cash transfer given in the context of shocks has multidimensional improvements in refugees’ lives, providing meaningful movement towards self-reliance.

Suggested Citation

  • Gupta, Prankur & Stein, Daniel & Longman, Kyla & Lanthorn, Heather & Bergmann, Rico & Nshakira-Rukundo, Emmanuel & Rutto, Noel & Kahura, Christine & Kananu, Winfred & Posner, Gabrielle & Zhao, K.J. & , 2024. "Cash transfers amid shocks: A large, one-time, unconditional cash transfer to refugees in Uganda has multidimensional benefits after 19 months," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:173:y:2024:i:c:s0305750x23001572
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106339
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Fatima, Freeha & Ozen, Efsan & Raju, Dhushyanth, 2026. "Cash Transfers and Employment among Syrian Refugees: Evidence from Rule-Based Eligibility in Türkiye," IZA Discussion Papers 18670, IZA Network @ LISER.
    3. Handa, Sudhanshu & Tembo, Gelson & Natali, Luisa & Chakrabarti, Averi, 2025. "In search of the holy grail: Post-intervention effects of an unconditional cash transfer program in Zambia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
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    5. Ahrens, Achim & Casalis, Marine & Hangartner, Dominik & Sánchez, Rodrigo, 2024. "Cash-based interventions improve multidimensional integration outcomes of Venezuelan immigrants," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    6. repec:osf:socarx:5sh8a_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Awor, Susan & Rozo, Sandra, 2026. "Uganda's Pioneer Refugee Model : Advances in Inclusion, Self-Reliance, and Pathways Forward," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11368, The World Bank.
    8. Wicker, Till & Dalton, Patricio & van Soest, Daan, 2025. "Mental Accounting and Cash Transfers : Experimental Evidence from a Humanitarian Setting," Other publications TiSEM a92dc757-d6b5-4802-8639-c, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    9. Giulia Greco & Selim Gulesci & Pallavi Prabhakar & Munshi Sulaiman, 2025. "(Digital) cash transfers, privacy and women's empowerment: Evidence from Uganda," Trinity Economics Papers tep0225, Trinity College Dublin, Department of Economics.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I00 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General - - - General
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • I39 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Other
    • H84 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Disaster Aid

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