Abstract:
Cash transfers in refugee camps globally were purposed to enable refugees face
enhanced social wellbeing, social functioning and reduce reliance on negative coping
strategy thereby realizing social development as emphasized by the social work principle of human dignity and self-reliance. The cash transfer programme in Kakuma camp was
intended to help refugees realize improved social welfare but experience indicates that
refugees continue to face a backlash when it comes to social development dimensions
including food security. This study sought to examine the contribution of cash transfer
programme on nutrition security among refugees in Kakuma camp, Kenya. Social systems
theory, resilience theory and social development model guided the study. A convergent
parallel mixed method design was adopted. The sample size was 400 comprising of 370
refugees selected using simple random, 5 key informants and 25 refugee community leaders selected purposively. Questionnaires, interviews and FGDs were used. SPSS version 27 analysed quantitative data while thematic analysis was for qualitative data. Tables, graphs, charts and verbatives were employed. Findings revealed that cash transfer programme had a strong positive significant correlation with nutrition security among refugees in Kakuma camp (r = +0.75 at P- = 0.043). The study concluded that cash transfer programme
contributed to nutrition security among refugees in Kakuma camp. Findings had
professional implications to social policy and welfare social work practice as its focus was
premised on the wellbeing among refugees. The study recommended an increase of cash
transfer level by UNHCR and its humanitarian partners. Similarly, a consideration by GoK
and UNHCR should be made to fully adopt unrestricted cash-transfers that enable refugees
to access cash through banks or mobile phones for purchasing food. Refugees should be
supported to engage in income generating projects to increase food consumption and
sustainability levels. Likewise, emphasis should be placed on nutrition security education
and planning in relation to cash transfer management.
