CSAE research, lead by Kate Orkin, influenced the South African government on key policy decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic and made a real difference to public policy.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, one in five South Africans were going to bed hungry. The country had implemented a strict lockdown, and millions of casual workers lost their jobs. The existing food parcel distribution system was overwhelmed, the economic crisis required an urgent policy response. Based on evidence from previous research on cash transfers in Kenya and working closely with research colleagues and civil servants in South Africa, CSAE researchers advised the South African government to shift their approach and give large unconditional cash transfers to households across the country. These policy changes continued after the pandemic keeping 2 million people out of severe poverty every month.
"South Africa implemented one of the most rapid, far reaching and effective emergency cash transfer programmes in the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic."
Saul Musker, Private Office of the President of South Africa
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MBRG Policy Work
Find out more about the policy and partnerships work of the Mind and Behaviour Research Group at the CSAE.
ESRC Prize Winner Video
As part of the ESRC Prize Ceremony, a video was made about Kate's work in South Africa.
Interviews with Cash Grant Beneficiaries
Watch interviews with four beneficiaries of the cash grants for unemployed people in South Africa.