英国发展研究所-针对长期危机：尼日尔案例研究（英）-2023.12-70页_1mb

Better Assistance in Crises (BASIC) Research: Niger Case Study Summary

Background

The BASIC Research program aims to improve social assistance policies and programs in crisis contexts. This case study examines Niger's response to the 2012 Sahel drought, focusing on targeting methodologies and program implementation during protracted crises exacerbated by climate vulnerability, floods, disease, conflict, and population displacement.

Key Findings

1. Targeting Challenges: Social assistance programs require complex trade-offs balancing economic, social, and political factors. Universal coverage, cash for work, or lotteries are alternatives considered.

2. Multi-faceted Vulnerability: Poverty, food insecurity, and shocks impact diverse populations (agricultural, pastoralist, urban) differently across regions. Vulnerability requires considering intersecting factors like demographics, livelihoods, and geography.

3. Targeting Simulation Results:

   • No single criterion comprehensively identifies shock-affected populations
   • Geographic targeting combined with household/individual characteristics can increase coverage and reduce errors
   • Children under two years old are identified as a simple, effective targeting criterion for emergency nutrition support
   • Proxy means tests (PMT) outperform categorical criteria in predicting poverty but not multidimensional vulnerability

4. Operational Context:

   • Limited routine social protection infrastructure (delivery systems, early warning)
   • Strong participatory governance structures needed for equitable resource allocation
   • Civil registration and financial systems require significant development
   • Coordination among multiple actors is complex and often non-transparent

5. Key Recommendations:

   • Align targeting approaches with clear policy objectives
   • Ensure communities understand and accept targeting criteria
   • Combine geographic targeting with household/individual characteristics
   • Prioritize maximizing coverage to minimize exclusion errors
   • Develop supporting infrastructure for efficient targeting
   • Strengthen routine social protection to reduce vulnerability
   • Account fully for implementation costs

Concluding Insights

Niger faces inherent targeting challenges in reaching diverse, dynamic populations vulnerable to multiple shocks. Effective social assistance requires clear policy objectives, community acceptance, appropriate geographic targeting, infrastructure development, and comprehensive support systems.