China - Post-Distribution Monitoring of Cash-Based Intervention 2022

UNHCR uses Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) as a mechanism to collect refugees' feedback on the quality, sufficiency, utilization and effectiveness of the assistance items they receive. The underlying principle behind the process is linked to accountability, as well as a commitment to improve the quality and relevance of support provided. UNHCR increasingly uses Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs) as a preferred modality for delivering assistance, offering greater dignity and choice to forcibly displaced and stateless persons in line with UNHCR's core protection mandate. In order to ensure that the cash assistance provided meets the intended programme objectives and that desired outcomes are achieved, UNHCR conducts regular post-distribution and outcome monitoring with a sample of refugee recipients.

UNHCR supported 88 refugee households in 13 provinces in China with cash assistance in 2022. The CBI PDM was conducted in October and November 2022 to assess outcomes of the assistance.Data was collected via a self administered email survey. Almost half the households receiving cash assistance are individuals without family. UNHCR’s cash assistance is beneficial to its recipients as respondents point to improved living conditions (91%), relieved financial burdens (91%) and reduction in feeling of stress (91%). In terms of coping strategies, 56% of all beneficiaries had to take out a new loan over the last three months.