Background
During the winter of 2017/18, UNHCR provided socio-economically vulnerable refugee families with winter cash assistance (WinCAP) to overcome the economic shock and seasonal strains due to adverse weather conditions. The needs of refugee families normally increase during winter (e.g. improved shelter, heating), while their resources are weakened due to seasonal decrease in job opportunities. This causes overwhelming pressure for families to meet their essential survival needs using already limited resources. Socio-economic vulnerability is defined as families’ abilities to stay above the poverty line (defined as the Minimum and Survival Expenditure Baskets (S/MEB threshold). All socio-economically vulnerable refugee families (those with predicted expenditures scores under the MEB, as per UNHCR ranking) are eligible for WinCAP, while UNHCR further prioritizes those not receiving other forms of cash assistance, across the four regions of Lebanon.
UNHCR distributed a lump sum cash transfer corresponding to assistance from November 2017 to March 2018, whose value was determined based on previous analyses of refugee expenditures during winter(1) and available funding. With the aim to prioritize limited resources, and in coordination with the Basic Assistance Working Group, UNHCR provided refugee families with USD 75 per month to cover winter needs. Syrian refugee families with predicted expenditures below the Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket, who were already receiving MultiPurpose Cash Assistance (MCAP, USD 175 per family/month) received a USD 225 top up (USD 75 for three months) to cover their winter needs. Syrian refugee families with predicted monthly expenditures below the Minimum or the Survival Expenditure Basket, who were not receiving MCAP, received a higher cash transfer, amounting to 375 USD to cover their needs for five months (USD 75 for five months). Refugees of nationalities other than Syrian(2) received a winter assistance package of USD 375, in addition to the regular monthly MCAP (USD 175 per month).
Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) is a data collection and analysis exercise that takes place following distribution of UNHCR cash assistance to the most vulnerable beneficiaries in Lebanon. The exercise aims to gather both outcome information on the programme (effects of UNHCR cash assistance on the living conditions of the beneficiaries) as well as to provide insight into the perception of refugees families on UNHCR delivery of cash assistance (how satisfied are beneficiaries with the cash assistance delivery process).