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The impact of cash transfers on nutrition in emergency and transitional contexts: A review of evidence
Key messages
Malnutrition is caused by inadequate dietary intake and disease, which in turn are caused by food insecurity, inadequate care and a poor health environment. In theory, cash transfers in emergency and transitional settings could address most if not all causes of malnutrition. However, attributing changes in nutritional status to interventions, including those using cash transfers, is extremely difficult.
Evidence from humanitarian evaluations makes a strong case that cash transfers often improve dietary intake. There is less evidence that cash transfers improve caring practices and almost no evidence for or against their impact on disease.
Strong analysis of the causes of malnutrition in a given context and of the likely impacts of different interventions is fundamental to determining appropriate responses. Cash transfers should be considered as one possible tool in a holistic approach to addressing malnutrition and its causes.