{"title":"Unveiling effects of cash transfers on poverty and social cohesion in conflict-affected zones: Insights from ex-FATA, Pakistan","authors":"Saima Nawaz, Sajid Hussain","doi":"10.1016/j.wdp.2024.100570","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study assesses the impact of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) on poverty and social cohesion in conflict-affected areas of ex-FATA, Pakistan. Using multidimensional analysis and data from 600 households, we employ propensity score matching (PSM) to examine BISP's effects. Results reveal significant reductions in poverty measures, including livestock ownership, living standards, and economic well-being. Cash transfer recipients strategically invested in livestock and agricultural tools, boosting daily income and resilience. However, BISP cash transfers have negatively affected social cohesion within the study areas. This outcome suggests the potential for alienation among non-beneficiaries. The study contributes to policy formulation by navigating the complex interplay between cash transfers, poverty, and social dynamics in conflict-affected settings.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37831,"journal":{"name":"World Development Perspectives","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100570"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"World Development Perspectives","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452292924000079","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"DEVELOPMENT STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study assesses the impact of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) on poverty and social cohesion in conflict-affected areas of ex-FATA, Pakistan. Using multidimensional analysis and data from 600 households, we employ propensity score matching (PSM) to examine BISP's effects. Results reveal significant reductions in poverty measures, including livestock ownership, living standards, and economic well-being. Cash transfer recipients strategically invested in livestock and agricultural tools, boosting daily income and resilience. However, BISP cash transfers have negatively affected social cohesion within the study areas. This outcome suggests the potential for alienation among non-beneficiaries. The study contributes to policy formulation by navigating the complex interplay between cash transfers, poverty, and social dynamics in conflict-affected settings.
本研究评估了贝娜齐尔收入支持计划(Benazir Income Support Program,BISP)对巴基斯坦前联邦直辖部落地区受冲突影响地区的贫困和社会凝聚力的影响。通过多维分析和 600 个家庭的数据,我们采用倾向得分匹配法(PSM)来考察贝娜齐尔收入支持计划的效果。结果显示,包括牲畜拥有量、生活水平和经济福利在内的贫困指标均有明显下降。现金转移受惠者对牲畜和农具进行了战略性投资,提高了日常收入和抗灾能力。然而,BISP 现金转移对研究地区的社会凝聚力产生了负面影响。这一结果表明,非受益者之间可能存在疏远。本研究通过探讨受冲突影响环境中现金转移、贫困和社会动态之间复杂的相互作用,为政策制定做出了贡献。
期刊介绍:
World Development Perspectives is a multi-disciplinary journal of international development. It seeks to explore ways of improving human well-being by examining the performance and impact of interventions designed to address issues related to: poverty alleviation, public health and malnutrition, agricultural production, natural resource governance, globalization and transnational processes, technological progress, gender and social discrimination, and participation in economic and political life. Above all, we are particularly interested in the role of historical, legal, social, economic, political, biophysical, and/or ecological contexts in shaping development processes and outcomes.