EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM IN IMPROVING ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY TO DISASTERS AMONG BENEFICIARIES: CASE STUDY, T/A NJEMA, MULANJE DISTRICT

This research project investigates the effectiveness of social cash transfer programs in enhancing economic resilience disasters among beneficiaries in Mulanje district, T/A Njema in specific. It was conducted by Jickson Zefania at the Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences of the Malawi University of Science and Technology, the study aims to contribute valuable insights to the field of Disaster Risk Management. The research methodology involves a comprehensive approach, including a detailed research design, data collection procedures, sample selection criteria, and ethical considerations. By analyzing the impact of social cash transfer programs on economic vulnerability, the study seeks to address the causes of economic vulnerability and resilience to hazards among beneficiaries in Malawi as a whole. Acknowledging the valuable input from the supervisor, Mr. Katonda, and colleagues, the study emphasizes the significance of understanding the role of social cash transfer programs in mitigating economic vulnerability. The findings of this research have the potential to inform policy and practice in disaster risk management in Malawi, offering recommendations for improving the effectiveness of social interventions in enhancing economic resilience among vulnerable populations.
This research project is conducted within the framework of academic study at the Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences, with the views and opinions expressed solely representing the author's responsibility. The study adheres to ethical standards and copyright regulations, ensuring the recognition of intellectual property rights and the confidentiality of data sources.
Overall, this research project aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on disaster risk management and social protection programs, highlighting the importance of addressing economic vulnerability to build resilience among communities facing natural disasters in Malawi.

It was conducted by Jickson Zefania at the Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences of the Malawi University of Science and Technology, the study aims to contribute valuable insights to the field of Disaster Risk Management. By analyzing the impact of social cash transfer programs on economic vulnerability, the study seeks to address the causes of economic vulnerability and resilience to hazards among beneficiaries in Malawi as a whole. The findings of this research have the potential to inform policy and practice in disaster risk management in Malawi, offering recommendations for improving the effectiveness of social interventions in enhancing economic resilience among vulnerable populations. Overall, this research project aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on disaster risk management and social protection programs, highlighting the importance of addressing economic vulnerability to build resilience among communities facing natural disasters in Malawi.

The social cash transfer program is referred to as predictable transfers, often in the form of cash, provided by the state as part of a social contract with its citizens (Hickey & Bukenya, 2021). The Malawi social cash transfer program known as Mtukula Pakhomo is a conditional transfer targeted to ultra-poor, labour-constrained households. The main objectives of the SCTP are to reduce poverty and hunger, increase school enrolment, and resilience to people prone to disasters. The program began as a pilot in 2006 in Mchinji district and was subsequently expanded to an additional 6 districts in 2007 (Kilburn et al., 2018). As of September 2017, the
program was reaching over 777,000 beneficiaries in over 174,500 households across 18 districts of the country, including approximately 430,000 child members. The program was expanded and now is operating in all 28 districts.
Since its inception, for 17 years now, the program has proven to ensure food security, reduce ultra-poverty, enable households to earn income and build their livelihoods, promote school attendance, and improve health. Different investigations have found strong evidence that SCTP achieved its primary objectives of ensuring food security and reducing poverty amongst ultra-poor labour-constrained households.
Furthermore, households invested some of their transfers in productive assets; the SCTP has led to an increase in ownership of livestock and agricultural implements as well as in the quantity of crops harvested (Government of Malawi, 2022)

Traditional authority: Sclaston Njema

District: Mulanje

Coordinates: -16.01545, 35.73735