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The Impact of Emergency Cash Assistance in a Pandemic: Experimental Evidence from Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Juliana Londono-Velez

    (UCLA)

  • Pablo Querubin

    (New York University)

Abstract

We study the impact of money on households during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, Colombia rolled out a new unconditional cash transfer (UCT) to 1 million households in poverty worth US$19 (PPP US$55.6) and paid every five to eight weeks. Using a randomized control trial and linked administrative and survey data, we find the UCT had positive (albeit modest) effects on measures of household well-being (e.g., financial health, food access). Moreover, the UCT boosted support for emergency assistance to households and firms during the crisis and promoted social cooperation. Finally, we explore the bottlenecks in expanding mobile money during a pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliana Londono-Velez & Pablo Querubin, 2022. "The Impact of Emergency Cash Assistance in a Pandemic: Experimental Evidence from Colombia," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 104(1), pages 157-165, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:104:y:2022:i:1:p:157-165
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01043
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