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The role of social assistance in African crises: a systematic literature review

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  • Kalle Hirvonen
  • Patricia Justino
  • Rodrigo Oliveira

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Kalle Hirvonen & Patricia Justino & Rodrigo Oliveira, 2024. "The role of social assistance in African crises: a systematic literature review," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2024-79, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2024-79
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lori Beaman & Dean Karlan & Bram Thuysbaert, 2014. "Saving for a (not so) Rainy Day: A Ramdomized Evaluation of Savings Groups in Mali," Working Papers 1043, Economic Growth Center, Yale University.
    2. Hirvonen, Kalle & Gilligan, Daniel O. & Leight, Jessica & Tambet, Heleene & Villa, Victor, 2023. "Do ultra-poor graduation programs build resilience against droughts? Evidence from rural Ethiopia," IFPRI discussion papers 2206, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Premand, Patrick & Stoeffler, Quentin, 2022. "Cash transfers, climatic shocks and resilience in the Sahel," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. 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).
    5. Rachel Sabates-Wheeler & Kalle Hirvonen & Jeremy Lind & John Hoddinott, 2022. "Expanding Social Protection Coverage with Humanitarian Aid: Lessons on Targeting and Transfer Values from Ethiopia," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(10), pages 1981-2000, October.
    6. Abay, Kibrom A. & Abay, Mehari H. & Berhane, Guush & Chamberlin, Jordan, 2022. "Social protection and resilience: The case of the productive safety net program in Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    7. Rodrigo Oliveira & Jesse Lastunen & Pia Rattenhuber & Melissa Samarin & Adnan Abdulaziz Shahir, 2023. "The role of social protection and tax policies in cushioning crisis impacts on income and poverty in low- and middle-income countries: A rapid scoping review," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2023-6, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    8. Jenny C. Aker, 2017. "Comparing Cash and Voucher Transfers in a Humanitarian Context: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 31(1), pages 44-70.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liana Chikwekwe & Sydney Sihubwa & Muchimba Sarah Siamachoka & Roosa Lambin & Milla Nyyssölä & Rodrigo Oliveira, 2024. "Social protection in humanitarian contexts: exploring stakeholder views from Zambia," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2024-91, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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