Background

The Yemen Cash Consortium (CCY), led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and comprising key humanitarian organizations such as ACTED, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Mercy Corps, Solidarités International, and the International Organization for Migration, aims to improve the living conditions of crisis-affected populations in Yemen. Triangle was commissioned to conduct an external evaluation of the CCY’s Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) from 2020 to 2023, which operates across 16 governorates. This program targets internally displaced persons, refugees, returnees, and host communities, using MPCA to meet immediate needs and facilitate transitions to long-term social protection solutions.

Triangle’s Assignment

This comprehensive evaluation, undertaken by Triangle, aims to critically assess the reach, effectiveness, and sustainability of the CCY’s Multi-Purpose Cash Programme. It will explore the program’s theoretical framework, positing that direct financial support to vulnerable households not only addresses immediate basic needs but also enhances local market activities and supports socio-economic stabilization of communities. The evaluation will provide insights into the effectiveness of cash assistance as a crisis response tool and its integration into broader social protection mechanisms.

Objectives

The evaluation has several key objectives:

• To determine how effectively the MPCA has met the urgent humanitarian needs of the affected populations and how it has facilitated their connection to longer-term social protection mechanisms.
• To evaluate the role of the program in fostering resilience among conflict-affected communities, ensuring access to essential resources and supportive environments.
• To identify and document innovative practices and successful strategies within the program that could be replicated or scaled up in future interventions.
• To scrutinize the program’s operational efficiency and its impact on improving living conditions and providing sustained support.
• To assess the short, medium, and long-term impacts of the program, pinpointing areas of strength, weakness, and potential opportunities for future strategic interventions.

Research Approach and Methodology

Employing an action-oriented empirical research methodology, this evaluation integrates both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the analysis will focus on how the program’s initiatives interact with the livelihood capitals of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries and the role of external factors such as policies and institutions. The methodological approach includes:

• Desk Reviews: To understand the broader project environment and initial outcomes.
• In-Depth Interviews (IDIs): Conducted with program staff and partners to gather nuanced insights into program execution and challenges.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): To collect detailed information from various stakeholders involved in or affected by the program.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): To capture the perspectives of diverse groups directly benefiting from or impacted by the MPCA.