Attachments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In July 2024, the Nigeria Northwest Cash Working Group (CWG), under the leadership of UNICEF and Save the Children, identified the necessity to revise the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) for the Northwest zone. The MEB, last updated in March 2021, has become outdated due to significant geopolitical and economic changes that have led to an inflationary environment and the rise of monetary and multidimensional poverty in the northwest zone, thereby impacting consumer prices as well as the ability of the current transfer value to meet the basic needs of poor and vulnerable individuals and/or households. Consequently, the 2021 Northwest MEB has seen limited use, prompting some agencies to adopt the transfer value used in the Northeast as an interim measure.
The primary objective of reviewing the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) is to ensure that cash and voucher-based assistance aligns with the essential needs of targeted households by reflecting economic fluctuations and market dynamics in the Northwest (NW). This process is crucial for maintaining program relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability.
Key focus areas include
- Market responsiveness to price changes in essential goods and services,
- Affordability among recipients to ensure that they can still afford key items like food, non-food essentials, and access to basic services such as health and education.
- Setting accurate transfer reducing the risks of underfunding or overfunding.
- Ensure evidence-based programming, enhancing advocacy and donor engagement through a robust, data-informed approach.
- Ensure timely updates to improve responsiveness to inflation, currency depreciation, and supply chain disruptions, ensuring relevant and effective humanitarian responses in the Northwest region.
This continuous review process strengthens CVA programming, ensuring efficient and impactful assistance delivery to the affected population in the NW.