Operational Research: 2011 cash transfer in Samburu & Marsabit

In late 2011, cash transfer interventions were undertaken in the Samburu and Marsabit branches of Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) as part of their drought response. The intervention was designed to provide meaningful assistance to beneficiaries. It was also an opportunity for KRCS to learn more about cash interventions and their potential as a future form of drought response. IFRC, together with KRCS, planned a review of the intervention in February 2012.

The research conducted focused on understanding how people cope with drought, and the role that our cash response played in coping with drought. Secondary issues, such as the amount of cash payment, inflation, transparency or complaints, were also considered important but outside the scope of the investigation. The research team were however aware of these secondary issues and as much as possible collected secondary information on those issues.

This operational research presents its key findings and analyses them.