Cash And Compliance With Social Distancing

This project evaluates how mobile money transfers can enhance household resilience and support safe behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. In collaboration with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), researchers delivered eight rounds of unconditional digital cash transfers to low-income households in both rural and urban areas. Using a randomized design with 1,508 households, the study measured impacts on food security, income, spending, and social distancing practices. Results show that while expectations of future transfers did not affect behavior, actual disbursements led to higher food spending, improved income, and greater adherence to social distancing measures.