Evaluation Synthesis of UNHCR’s Cash Based Interventions in Jordan
In 2017, there was a large and growing body of evidence on UNHCR Jordan’s CBI programme. The key objectives of this evaluation synthesis were: to review the operational model chosen to deliver cash to Syrian refugees in Jordan; to process the large volume of existing but un-used data; and to identify key changes in the vulnerability of recipients of UNHCR cash. Given the size of CBI in Jordan and the availability of evidence, the scope of this evaluation synthesis included:
- Describing contextual and operational factors influencing results in Jordan, in order to inform optimisation of CBI in other countries
- Measuring the effects of the CBI programme on the lives of refugees, by considering primary and secondary needs
- Producing recommendations in relation to management, technical and MEAL aspects of CBI in Jordan based on a range of reports and primary data
PROCESS
The project consisted of a synthesis of existing evaluations related to the UNHCR Jordan CBI programme, along with a quantitative analysis of two datasets – one from the ODI ‘A Promise of Tomorrow’ study, and home visit data corresponding to the same sample used in the ODI study. This provided a ‘longitudinal’ dataset through which descriptive and inferential data analysis was conducted. There was also a ‘value-for-money’ component, which aimed to highlight the CBI programmes’ relative cost-effectiveness in comparison to in-kind modalities of humanitarian assistance (though it’s worth noting that no actual figures were provided to the evaluation team, with this section instead comparing the innovations in the programme to wider international ‘best-practices’).
OUTPUTS
- Validation workshop in Jordan
- Final Report
- Four infographics summarising findings (see final pages of report below)

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Author: Katherine Dunlop, Tamar Gabay, Nicola Giordano, Deepak Sardiwal, Alice Hale (graphic design)