INFORMING THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEWLY APPROVED CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM BY THE PARLIAMENT OF LEBANON
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INFORMING THE DESIGN AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEWLY
APPROVED CASH TRANSFER
PROGRAM BY THE PARLIAMENT
OF LEBANON
BACKGROUND
Since October 2019, Lebanon has been suffering
from an unprecedented economic and financial crisis,
exacerbated by political instability in the country, the
COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut port explosion
(World Bank, 2021a). The World Bank considered
the economic and financial crisis in Lebanon to rank
among the top 10 most severe crises globally since
the mid-19th century (World Bank, 2021a). The crisis
led to a 20.3% contraction in GDP in 2020, an increase
in poverty to over 50% of the population and a rise in
unemployment rates (World Bank, 2021a; World Bank,
2021b). The average inflation rate reached 84.9% in
2020 (Central Administration of Statistics, 2021) with
the Lebanese currency losing 90% of its value by June
2021 (Reuters, 2021). The increased poverty rates
and continuous devaluation of the Lebanese Pound
has forced the government to consider withdrawing
subsidies of goods and essential items such as fuel,
essential food items, and medications, further exposing
the population to poverty (Al-Jazeera, 2021).
OBJECTIVE OF THIS EVIDENCE BRIEF
Politicians, analysts, and the public raised major concerns related to funding sources and eligibility criteria
of beneficiaries due the scarcity of financial resources and the rising poverty levels (Skynews Arabia, 2021).
Therefore, the implementation decrees that will issued by the government needs to carefully consider the
aforementioned points to ensure that assistance is provided to the right people and to demonstrate value
for money. The objective of this evidence brief is to help inform the government in its planning, design,
and implementation of the CTP in Lebanon.
CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM (CTP) IN LEBANON: ELIGIBILITY, FUNDING
AND REGISTRATION
In response to the crises, the Parliament of Lebanon approved a Cash transfer program (CTP) law bill on June 30th, 2021 with
the aim to alleviate poverty and help citizens access their basic needs (figure 1). The implementation decrees of the law will be
developed by a ministerial committee including the minister of social affairs, minister of finance and minister of economy and
trade (Asharq Business, 2021). The expected cost of the CTP will be 556 million USD over one year with 360 million USD to be
funded from internal sources (the Central Bank) and can be replaced by external funding sources when available, according to
the law (LBC International, 2021). Parliamentarians raised concerns over the funding of CTP and some suggested funding from
existing World Bank loans. The amount of cash transfer will vary between 93 and 126 USD per month for a period of one year
depending on the household size (LBC International, 2021; Skynews Arabia, 2021), knowingly that the average per person cost
on food is 150$ per day at a rate of (17,000 LBP) (figure 2). The CTP aims to target 500,000 families. Initially, the plan was to
target a total of 750,000 Lebanese families then a decision was made to exclude around 250,000 families currently benefiting
from World Bank and European Union funding programs. Discussions around the list of beneficiaries are still ongoing with
suggestions to include public sector employees. The targeted families are supposed to apply for registration in an electronic
platform that will be developed for this purpose.
Parliament Approved the Cash Transfer Program
Total value of 556 Million USD for 1 year
● Monthly amount between $93 to $126
(CTP) law bill on June 30th, 2021
● Ideally in fresh USD
● Unclear funding sources
Exclusion criteria
● Families travelling mul�ple �mes per year
● Families having a bank account exceeding
10,000 USD
● Families with an income exceeding
3,000,000 LBP
● Families having a domes�c worker
● Families benefi�ng from other grant
programs
Targe�ng 500,000 ● Families owning more than one car
families (Skynews Arabia, 2021; France 24, 2021)
Figure 1: The Cash Transfer Program: beneficiaries and funding
CASH TRANSFER MODALITIES AND APPROACHES
Social assistance interventions aim to reduce poverty and A variety of cash-based approaches to humanitarian
vulnerability and can be in the form of in-kind assistance assistance exist and they include (Mercy Corps; Siddiqqi et al.
and cash-based transfers. Traditionally, social assistance has 2018):
been provided in the form of in-kind goods and services such
• Unconditional cash transfers: Unconditional cash transfers
as food, non-food items, temporary shelters, and medical
are direct payments, with no conditions, obligations or
care. Over the last few decades, cash-based approaches
work requirements. Transfers may be delivered by bank
have become an increasingly used alternative for in-kind
transfer, mobile phone transfer, prepaid smartcard, or
assistance in the provision of social assistance mainly where
distribution of physical cash.
local markets are functioning (Mercy corps n.d, Gairdner,
Mandelik & Moberg, 2011). Cash transfer programs (CTP) • Conditional cash-transfer: Conditional cash transfers are
refers to “all programs where cash (or vouchers for goods or regular payments conditional on performing some task
services) is directly provided to beneficiaries” (Mercy Corps, or activity such as public works, school enrollment, child
2017). When carefully designed and implemented, they allow vaccination, or attending a training course.
the delivery of timely assistance to address immediate needs
and can provide assistance more rapidly than direct provision • Vouchers: These are coupons, tokens or smartcards, which
of goods or services due to reduced logistical complexity. CTP can only be used in particular shops and/ or on particular
are a preferable form of assistance because they maintain items.
dignity and choice among beneficiaries while supporting local
economy (Mercy Corps; Doocy et al. 2017).
Page 2 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of Lebanon
Figure 2: Estimated cost of meals for full day for one adult
Will the cash transfer be enough?
The cost of meals for a full day for one adult
According to the Ministry of Economy and Trade's latest update of the prices of "foodstuff basket"
(June 21, 2021)
Breakfast: Average 10000 L.L
Eggs, labneh, cheese, vegetables, tea, bread
Lunch: Average 55000 L.L
A meal of rice with meat or chicken + salad
Dinner: Average 20000 L.L
Tuna salad/ sandwich/soup
Cost per day: 85000 L.L
Cost per month: 2550000 L.L
Based on the rate of 17000 L.L
150$
SELEC TION PROCESS
A search of the literature was conducted to identify systematic reviews and reports addressing cash transfer programs in
humanitarian settings and low and middle income countries. We used keywords including social assistance, cash assistance,
cash transfer, anti-poverty and social protection programs. We further limited the setting to low and middle income
countries, humanitarian and emergency settings. We searched Health Systems Evidence, Social Systems Evidence and
Google Scholar. We also search Google for grey literature reports. We limited the search for systematic reviews published
after 2009.
Page 3 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of Lebanon
EFFECTIVENESS, EFFICIENCY,
AND COST OF CASH-BASED
TRANSFER
Cash transfer programs were shown to be effective ways to provide
humanitarian assistance. Below we present various outcomes
associated with CTP as assessed by systematic reviews:
FOOD SECURIT Y P O V E R T Y, R E S I L I E N C E A N D M E N TA L H E A LT H
H O U S E H O L D S AV I N G S
Unconditional cash transfers may Cash transfers were found to reduce Cash transfer programs was also found
improve and maintain household short-term poverty and increase to improve mental health in both
food security in emergency contexts consumption and resilience by children and adults (Zimmerman et
(Doocy et al. 2017) and in low- and increasing household savings (Owusu- al. 2021; Owusu-Addo et al. 2018;
middle- income countries (Pega et Addo et al. 2018). Unconditional cash McGuire et al. 2020).
al. 2017). They may also improve transfer may be more effective than
dietary diversity (Pega et al. 2017). vouchers in increasing household
As compared to food transfers, savings and equally effective in
unconditional cash transfers increasing household asset ownership E D U C AT I O N
were found to lead to a greater (Doocy et al. 2017).
Unconditional cash transfer may
improvement in dietary diversity and improve the likelihood of attending
quality, but food transfers are more school (Pega et al. 2017; Doocy et al.
successful in increasing per capita 2017; Baird et al. 2013).
caloric intake (Doocy et al. 2017).
H E A LT H H E A LT H S E R V I C E S COST
Unconditional cash transfer programs Cash transfer was found to increase Unconditional cash transfer programs
were found to positively impact birth the use of health services (Hunter et and vouchers were found to have a
weight and infant mortality (Siddiqqi al. 2017) mainly frequent transfers of lower cost per beneficiary than in-kind
et al. 2018) and improve health sufficient amounts of cash (Owusu- food distribution. When comparing
Addo et al. 2018) with limited unconditional cash transfer programs
outcomes such as the likelihood of
evidence on unconditional cash
having had any illness (Pega et al. to vouchers, unconditional cash
transfer (Hunter et al. 2017; Murray et
2017). Cash transfer programs that transfer programs was found to have
al. 2014).
were conditional on use of health a lower cost per beneficiary (Doocy et
services also showed positive effects al. 2017).
on health (Siddiqqi et al. 2018).
Page 4 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of Lebanon
PLAN DESIGN IMPLEMENT
WHAT ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS IN THE PLANNING,
DESIGN, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CTP?
Although CTP were shown to be effective in humanitarian and emergency situations and low- and middle-
income countries, the below factors should be taken into consideration at the planning, design, and
implementation levels to ensure that the program achieves its intended objectives:
AT T H E P L A N N I N G L E V E L
To be effective, any CTP should take into
consideration these prerequisites (Gairdner et al.
2011; Mercy Corps, n.d; GSDRC, 2011):
• Availability of goods and services for basic
needs and existence of a functional market that
can meet basic needs of the population and
meet increased demand as weak market can
cause inflation.
• Existence of technical capacity and skills in
government institutions to plan, implement
and monitor CTP as resources constraint can
overburden local authorities.
• Devoted a budget for the program
administration (around 5-15%) as running CTPs
require extra time and effort for managing and
monitoring.
• A security situation that is permissible for cash
transfer and the movement of goods
• A financial infrastructure (e.g. a functional
banking system) that facilitates cash transfer
• Beneficiaries’ preference for cash transfer vs.
in-kind assistance
Page 5 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of Lebanon
AT T H E D E S I G N L E V E L
The design of any CTP should consider the following
key elements
Determine payment frequency and amount Identify actors in CTP
The frequency and amount of payment should Four groups of actors are involved in CTP (Doocy
be determined based on the program’s objective et al. 2017):
(e.g. covering food needs vs. a range of essential • Funding sources need to be clearly
supplies) (Mercy Corps n.d; Mercy Corps, 2017): identified. The primary funding sources of
• Frequency: When designing the frequency of CTP are national governments, multilateral
transfers (small vs. larger amount/one-time vs. organizations, non-governmental and
multiple transfers), it is important to consider donor agencies (Garcia & Moore, 2012).
local tax and banking laws and the objective of CTP can be funded from one source (e.g.
the program. Small and multiple transfers are government budget) or a combination
often used to cover basic household needs like of sources (e.g. government and
food, medicine and clothing while one-time, donors). These sources are dependent
larger transfers are often spent on rebuilding/ on countries’ income level. For instance,
recovering. CTP in upper-middle-income countries
• Amount: Determining the amount of the in Sub-Saharan Africa are mainly funded
transfer should be based on inflation rates, price by the governments while in low-income
fluctuations (e.g. seasonal fluctuations) and countries they are entirely funded by donor
the size of the household. Setting the amount groups and NGOs. To secure budget for
should consider the price of a standardized CTP, countries can consider improving its
“basket of goods” at local market prices and governance and tax collection, support from
the gap between what beneficiaries are able to donors, revenue from natural resources
pay and the cost of the “basket of goods. Cost and appropriate management of its
associated with obtaining the cash transfer (e.g. macroeconomy.
transportation cost and ATM fees) should be • Implementing agencies have a role in
considered in setting the cash amount. If the establishing mechanisms to provide cash
objective of the program is to cover a range of to recipients, monitoring the process of
basic needs (in addition to food), the transfer cash transfer including conditions for when
amount should be calculated to account for cash will be transferred or how it is used
food and other essential supplies. and monitoring program expenditures.
They are most often government
bodies, international non-governmental
organizations or national civil society groups.
• Service providers can facilitate cash transfer
program through mechanisms such as cash
payments, bank or mobile transfers.
• Recipients can be at an individual or
household level, and may be selected based
on a set of criteria including age, geography,
income level, and vulnerabilities (e.g.
disability, female-headed households, etc.).
Page 6 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of Lebanon
Set up a monitoring and evaluation plan Develop accurate method for identifying and
selecting beneficiaries
Monitoring is essential to ensure the CTP is meeting Poverty alleviation programs such as CTP
its objectives and reaching targeted beneficiaries require accurate identification and targeting of
(Mercy Corps, n.d, Mercy Corps, 2017, GSDRC, beneficiaries mainly in limited resources contexts
2011; DFID, 2006). It can be done through: (Ellis, 2012), in order to reduce errors of inclusion
• Monitoring the process of cash transfer starting and exclusion (Stoeffler et al., 2016).
from application processing to program • Inclusion errors occur when people who
expenditure. are not eligible or in need of the assistance
• Regular monitoring of market prices to make receive the benefits (International Red Cross
sure cash transfer is not contributing to further and Red Crescent Movement, 2007). These
inflation can be avoided by involving communities and
• Set up a monitoring and evaluation system implementing household-level vulnerability
within government offices for data collection assessments which often do cost more
and analysis than the granted amount to be distributed
• Engage community in monitoring through social (International Red Cross and Red Crescent
audits, community leaders, short surveys Movement, 2007).
• Monitor beneficiaries’ satisfaction with the • Exclusion errors occur when people who need
transfer mechanism and process the benefit fail to receive the assistance, which
• Assess waiting and travel times and expenses could be the result of using social welfare lists
associated with obtaining the transfer as basis for targeting (International Red Cross
• Monitor the security situation to ensure safety and Red Crescent Movement, 2007).
of beneficiaries
• Monitor the number of payments over a certain
period, the pace of applications and payments
processing and, the number and reason of
rejected applications
• Conduct periodic case reviews to ensure
beneficiaries remain eligible for the CTP.
• Monitor and evaluate whether beneficiaries are
able to meet their needs when the CTP ends
Page 7 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of LebanonBest practices advise the use of a combination of selection methods to reduce inclusion and exclusion
errors and increase the overall effectiveness of targeting (European commission, 2019). Common methods
used to target beneficiaries in CTP are outlined below (Handa et al., 2012; Stoeffler et al. 2016; Ellis, 2012;
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, 2007; European commission, 2019; Inter-American
Development Bank, 2017; UNICEF, 2017; Devereux et al. 2015).
Table 1: Common methods for beneficiaries selection and targeting for CTPs
Selection Description Benefits Disadvantages
Methods for
CTPs
Categorical Selection of poor individuals with • Easily implemented Low selection accuracy (e.g., could result
selection predefined demographic and/or social • Transparent in higher rates of beneficiary selection
characteristics such as age (e.g. elderly), • May not require any errors as targeting a specific category
gender, ethnicity, disability, or land complex administration such as the elderly for example, may not
ownership, chronically ill individuals, neither a large budget always overlap with reaching the most
orphans, family size, child headed, vulnerable or poor)
elderly headed, female headed and
disabled headed households, extreme
income poverty, extreme asset poverty,
disaster or conflict-affected or displaced
Geographical • Selection based on location of • Easy implementation Could result in high rates of targeting
selection residence such as specific districts, • Simple and low-cost errors as geographical locations are
regions, or communities with approach weak proxies when it comes to poverty
chronically poor residents • Most effective in contexts specially when it is extended across the
• Mostly used in areas of natural where poverty rates country
disasters or in areas with a strong are high and spatially
correlation with poverty concentrated
Means testing Selection based on the income/asset Accuracy in terms of • Costly, laborious and data demanding
approach level and economic transactions of selection • Low public support which could lead to
individuals conflicts and social unrest
• Require documentation of economic
transactions (less usual in developing
countries).
Proxy means- Selection based on proxy indicators Can reach horizontal equity • Require high administrative capacity
testing (PMT) include but are not limited to due to statistical accuracy • Costly
approach consumption data, the headship of the • Could become corrupt if used for many
household (e.g., child, women, elderly targeting criteria as monitoring becomes
headed households), and the lack of difficult
adult labor in the household (e.g., • Not easily understood by the population
elderly caring for orphans) which could lead to social conflicts
• Less accurate than means testing
approach
Community- Engages local stakeholders and • Using community agents • Leakages of non-poor or rich
based community members that are familiar instead of official agents households.
development with the various characteristics of the can reduce cost • Community agents may use the program
community in determining program • Most effective in for their own benefit and interest
eligibility by identifying poor households decentralized countries • Hard to monitor and control in the
that qualify for program assistance. • Uses local information absence of a team for supervision
• Increases social cohesion
Administrative Selection is based on an existing Readily available data • Gives less room for participation
Targeting administrative list (e.g. list of social • High cost (e.g., requires surveys and
protection scheme beneficiaries, school monitoring)
enrolment list, households listed in a • Less flexible process when people move
national social registry). in and out of the eligibility criteria and
governmental lists become outdated.
Self-selection Selection based on voluntary • Increases the opportunity Subject to exclusion errors if there is low
targeting participation of non-poor population to awareness of the program
benefit of the program
• Easy implementation
• Increased public support
• Low administrative costs.
Page 8 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of LebanonFactors to consider in the selection of targeting Develop scale up/transition strategy
methods
Below we provide a checklist to inform decision on As CTPs are designed as a short-term intervention,
which targeting method to choose (UNICEF, 2020): governments and authorities need to develop a
• Timeliness: how timely/quickly the transition/scale up plan to ensure sustainability
implementing agency/government need to of the program (Mercy Corps n.d.; Doocy et al.
provide assistance? 2017; Garcia & Moore, 2012). Governments can
• Resources required: does the implementing use the experience and lessons learned from
agency/government have enough financial, CTPs to transition to sustainable national social
human and technical resources to conduct a protection programs or other development
costly/expensive targeting method? programs with long-term sustainability. CTPs can
• Accuracy: What is the probability for inclusion guide the formulation and development of national
and exclusion errors based on the method? social protection systems for instance through its
• Accountability: will communities perceive established legal framework, budget, implementing
targeting to be fair and is the targeting agency, list of beneficiaries, technical and human
mechanism easy to explain to communities? resources and monitoring and evaluation plan.
Political will to transitioning to a sustainable
national social protection program is essential in the
process (Mercy Corps n.d.; Doocy et al. 2017; Garcia
& Moore, 2012).
Page 9 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of LebanonAT T H E I M P L E M E N TAT I O N L E V E L
Successful implementation of the CTP requires careful consideration of the following factors (Mercy Corps,
n.d; Doocy et al. 2017; Owusu-Addo et al. 2018; Leroy et al. 2009; Lagarde et al. 2009; DFID, 2006):
Table 2: Implementation considerations for CTPs
Implementation considerations
Market Economy The implementation of CTP requires a functional market and availability of supply of
goods, or services (e.g. food, drugs, health services).
Inflation Inflation and a rise of local food process can erode the real value of CTP and reduce
expenditures making it difficult for households to meet their consumption needs.
Beneficiary selection or Identifying beneficiaries and populations that are most in need is crucial to ensure
targeting scarce resources are directed to the right beneficiaries. Targeting errors can limit the
effectiveness of CTP and create community tension and exacerbate existing political and
economic tension and conflicts over scarce resources.
Financial Corruption, exploitation and diversion of cash can hinder the successful implementation
mismanagement, of the program. Exploitation and diversion of funds to illegal activities is easier with cash
exploitation and than with in-kind assistance. Measures such criminal penalties can be used to avoid
corruption corruption and financial mismanagement.
Use of technologies Technologies can be used to efficiently monitor the program and may reduce time
required for familiarizing beneficiaries with delivery mechanisms.
Community and civil Engaging communities in program planning, design, and implementation of assistance
society engagement programs and regular communication contributed to acceptance and success of the
program by enhancing social cohesion and reducing tension and increase transparency.
Civil society can advocate for beneficiaries, act as anti-corruption watchdogs and play a
role in oversight of CTP.
Negative Influence on Cash may be used to purchase harmful goods such as alcohol or cigarettes and may
Local Culture worsen power divisions between men and women, and may affect traditional responses
(e.g. volunteerism) to community needs.
Security issues Ensuring security of staff and beneficiaries who may be subject to safety and security
risks (e.g., violence, extortion) is a factor contributing to successful implementation of
CTP.
Regularity of transfer The amount of payment and regularity of the transfer were frequently reported to
and amount of influence the effectiveness of CTs. Irregularity in transfer might negatively influence the
payments effectiveness of the program.
Supplementary food Supplementing cash transfer with food transfer especially when amounts are not high
transfer positively impact the effectiveness of CTP.
Accountability and Accountability and transparency towards the public can be maintained through
transparency developing an independent complaints procedure where beneficiaries can report on
errors or delays and ensuring eligibility criteria, targeting methods and processing
of applications are transparent and communicated with the public and addressing
transparently any case of fraud or corruption
Page 10 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of LebanonNEXT STEPS
Cash transfers are effective in reducing poverty and improving household savings, food security, health
services use, health outcomes and mental health and were shown to have a lower cost per beneficiaries
compared to in-kind food transfer. As the Lebanese authorities are in the process of planning, designing,
and implementing the CTP, the below elements should be taken into considerations to achieve desirable
outcomes, while ensuring community engagement in program planning, designing and implementation:
AT T H E P L A N N I N G L E V E L • Establish a secure payment system and safe
delivery mechanism such as mobile transfers,
• Ensure technical capacity and skills in smartcards and transfers through banks and
government institutions to plan, implement micro-lenders taking into consideration security
and monitor CTP as resources constraint can issues, availability of financial infrastructure and
overburden implementing agencies. mobile coverage.
• Devote a budget for the program administration • State actors involved in the CTP in the
(around 5-15%) implementing decrees, including funding
• Ensure the security situation is permissible for sources, implementing agencies, service
cash transfer and movement of goods. providers, and recipients.
• Ensure a functional financial infrastructure (e.g. • Identify actors involved in the CTP in the
a banking system) is in place to facilitate cash implementing decrees, including funding
transfers. sources, implementing agencies, service
• Conduct a market analysis to determine providers, and recipients.
whether a functional market is in place with • Secure adequate and sustainable funds for
available goods and services (e.g. food, drugs, the CTP for instance through a combination
health services) and to ensure cash transfer of government funding (i.e. taxes) and
doesn’t contribute to further inflation. donors support. Improving tax collection and
reinvesting revenues from excise taxation
(e.g. taxation on tobacco and alcohol) can be
AT T H E D E S I G N L E V E L considered as potential sources to fund CTP.
Public support for excise taxation can increase
• Use accurate and evidence-based methods when invested in pro-poor policies with proven
for identifying and targeting beneficiaries to public benefit (Hilal, 2016). Additionally, the
allow better use of limited resources, avoid cost of improving tax collection might be
errors of inclusion and exclusion, and increase balanced by the long-term social benefits
transparency. The use of social welfare lists provided by CTP.
(administrative targeting) was found to be • Determine the frequency and amount of
subject of errors in Lebanon as fake names transfer based on inflation, consumption needs
that were spotted during the delivery of aid in and size of household.
April 2020 (Lebanese Army, 2020) and might • Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan
be outdated. If authorities willing to use these including monitoring the process of cash
lists, they need to be updated and verified. As transfer starting from application processing to
means testing and proxy means tests are time program expenditure.
demanding, labor intensive and costly, the • Develop a transition strategy from short-term
use of combination of methods including self- CTPs to national social protection programs
targeting, categorical targeting and geographical
targeting can be considered in the Lebanese
context. Verification systems are essential
to avoid errors in inclusion. For instance,
verification can be done through request of
documentation and community engagement.
Page 11 K2P Evidence Brief: Informing the design and implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer Program by the Parliament of LebanonAT T H E I M P L E M E N TAT I O N L E V E L
• Ensure regularity and timeliness of transfer with
sufficient amount.
• Monitor inflation and rise of local food prices to
avoid eroding the real value of the cash transfer
programs.
• Implement measures to avoid financial
mismanagement, exploitation, and corruption
such as criminal penalties.
• Encourage civil society oversight as it can
advocate for beneficiaries and act as anti-
corruption watchdogs.
• Ensure the security of staff and beneficiaries.
• Consider supplementary food supplies when
cash amount is insufficient or when prices rise.
• Ensure accountability and transparency towards
the public through developing an independent
complaints procedure where beneficiaries
can report on errors or delays and ensuring
eligibility criteria, targeting methods and
processing of applications are transparent and
communicated with the public and addressing
transparently any case of fraud or corruption.
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Authors
Lama Bou-Karroum, Sahar Nassour, Rayane Nasreddine,
Clara Abou Samra, Fadi El-Jardali*
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank the merit reviewers for
the document review.
Citation
Bou-Karroum L, Nassour S, Nasreddine R, Abou Samra C,
El-Jardali F. K2P Evidence Brief:Informing the design and
implementation of the newly approved Cash Transfer
Program by the Parliament of Lebanon, Knowledge to
Policy (K2P) Center, Beirut, Lebanon, July 14, 2021
*senior author
Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center
Faculty of Health Sciences
American University of Beirut
Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020
Beirut, Lebanon
+961 1 350 000 ext. 2942-2943
www.aub.edu.lb/K2P
K2P@aub.edu.lb
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