Lasting Benefits: The Role of Cash Transfers in Tackling Child Mortality


Posted on 06-30-2009	Translate this page

In June 2009, Save the Children released a publication titled Lasting Benefits: The role of cash transfers in tackling child mortality. This report argues that cash transfers have a critical role to play in accelerating reductions in child mortality, as well as broader economic benefits. It estimates current costs and finds that child and maternity benefits are possible on a large scale, even in developing countries.

Over the past decade, an increasing number of developing country governments, working with donors and NGOs, have been implementing cash transfer programmes — regular transfers of cash to individuals or households. These programs are united by common assumptions: that income poverty has a highly damaging impact on people’s health and nutrition, and that cash empowers poor individuals and households to make their own decisions on how to improve their lives.

This report examines three key questions:

* What contribution can cash transfers make to reducing child mortality?
* What are the broader economic benefits of investing in cash transfers?
* How can child-focused cash transfers be affordable in developing countries?

Lasting Benefits argues that cash transfers have a critical role to play in accelerating reductions in child mortality, as well as broader economic benefits.It finds that child and maternity benefits are possible on a large scale, even in developing countries. It will be of particular interest to policy-makers and advisers in developing countries and donor governments.

For the full report, visit Save the Children’s online library More publications by Save the Children :
Saving Children’s Lives: Why equity matters
The Child Development Index: Holding Governments to account for children’s wellbeing
Policy Brief: Newborn and child survival
Tracking Progress in Maternal, Newborn and Child Survival: The 2008 report