recognized some potential for state-building and social cohesion , that potential was not likely to be realized due to capacity and resource constraints .
In Sierra Leone , as well , the outlook for cash transfers as a contributor to statebuilding and social cohesion was rather poor . The government of Sierra Leone had made a conscious effort to target specific groups with cash transfers – namely , the unemployed youth and ex-combatants - and this specific targeting was seen as a means to reduce the likelihood of renewed conflict . However , the government of Sierra Leone had excluded many other poorer households , and this exclusion was viewed as being detrimental to peace and stability , as tensions could likely arise between those who received assistance and those who did not - according to this particular study .
Of note , a third country - Mozambique - is only briefly mentioned in the study , but its experiences are noteworthy . Mozambique had implemented a rather successful cash transfer program in the 1990s . Its program was called the Cash Payments to War-displaced Urban Destitute Households Programme ( GAPVU ). GAPVU targeted families who were displaced by the war and who wound up destitute on the fringes of cities . GAPVU provided small cash transfers to over 70,000 households . This program was credited as having worked well for five years , contributing to household food security and household income , promoting family trading activities , and supporting home gardens . However , when there was pressure / stimulus to expand the program in 1997 , expansion was soon overcome by fraud and corruption , and the program was then suspended .
Recommendation .
‣ If the government of a post-conflict country is considering the use of cash transfers as a tool / program for poverty reduction and state-building , it should first examine the experiences of other countries - both peaceful and conflict-affected - to confirm / decide whether or not to actually implement such a program , and , if going forward , how best to design and implement it . Key to program design would be the identification / inclusion of recipient groups . It is important to target as many vulnerable groups as possible in any delivery area - to preclude community divisions / tensions over who receives the aid and who does not .
‣ If the government of a post-conflict country is considering the use of cash transfers , it should first ensure that adequate government institutional capacity is in place to administer / deliver the transfers , reliable government systems are set-up for program monitoring to deter corruption , and adequate security is established in the delivery areas .
‣ If the government of a post-conflict country is considering the use of cash transfers , it should link the cash transfers to other programs - such as employment-oriented programs or education / training programs – to
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