Impact and Process Evaluation of Zimbabwe’s National Harmonized Social Cash Transfer Program

Project

Map of ZimbabweBackground

In 2004, over 68 percent of Zimbabwe’s population was below the international poverty line, but this number is most likely much higher today due to subsequent poor economic development. A majority of Zimbabweans lack sufficient resources to provide nutritional meals, access to health care, school supplies, and clothing to their family on a regular basis. To address these problems, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Labor and Social Services (MoLSS) implemented an enhanced social protection program as part of its National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. However, the program suffered due to a poor economy, extreme inflation, and other factors that led to underfunding and delivery problems.

Program Details

AIR conducted an impact and process evaluation of Zimbabwe’s Harmonized Social Cash Transfer (HSCT) program. The HSCT focused on strengthening the household economy through the delivery of cash transfers. The program provides a monthly stipend to households. AIR’s impact evaluation assessed short-term impacts to child nutrition, food security, household resiliency, use of health and education services, adolescent development, health, wealth, and productivity. We also conducted a process evaluation to assess the fidelity of implementation, and a cost-effectiveness analysis. The evaluation was a mixed methods, longitudinal quasi-experimental design with 3,000 households in 90 Wards across six districts. We collected a baseline and 12-month follow-up survey to assess the impact of the program.

Related Work

1 Jan 2015
Service

Client Services in International Health and Social Protection

AIR's research and evaluations in health and social protection are designed to improve people’s lives by helping communities, governments, and development agencies to adopt effective practices that are associated with improved agriculture, nutrition, and other health outcomes based on evidence and information.
Topic: 
Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan, International Health and Social Protection, International
1 Dec 2014
Report

Process Evaluation of Zimbabwe’s Harmonised Social Cash Transfer Programme

Cash transfers empower the beneficiary households to increase their consumption to a level which exceeds the food poverty line, reduce child labor, increase school enrolment and attendance, and access basic social services. Zimbabwe's HSCT program provides cash to the most vulnerable households across the country, targeting labor-constrained households that are also food poor. AIR conducted both an impact evaluation and an implementation evaluation of HSCT.
Topic: 
International, International Health and Social Protection
1 Dec 2014
Report

12 Month Impact Report for the Evaluation of Zimbabwe’s Harmonised Social Cash Transfer Programme

Cash transfers empower the beneficiary households to increase their consumption to a level which exceeds the food poverty line, reduce child labor, increase school enrolment and attendance, and access basic social services. After only 12 months (representing 6 payments), the HSCT contributed to improving consumption and food security among smaller households, and improved resiliency through debt reduction, increased livestock holdings, and reductions in exposure to shocks.
Topic: 
International, International Health and Social Protection
View all