The Cash Waves research, commissioned by World Vision Middle East and Eastern Europe Region, evaluates the broader impacts of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) programs on gender equality, child well-being, livelihood resilience, community cohesion, and mental health across marginalized groups and youth. The study found that while CVA provides crucial short-term financial relief — helping households meet basic needs, reduce debt, and improve communication — it alone cannot overcome deep economic challenges such as unemployment, debt, and housing costs, which remain especially severe among refugees, female-headed households, and displaced populations.
CVA positively influenced gender dynamics by increasing women’s participation in financial decisions, but systemic barriers limit their long-term economic independence. For children, CVA improved school attendance and reduced stress, yet vulnerable children in refugee and high-risk contexts experienced fewer benefits. At the community level, CVA helped strengthen social ties and reduce financial tensions, though refugees often continued to face social exclusion. The report recommends integrating CVA with complementary interventions like job creation, financial literacy, and social protection to ensure sustainable, transformative outcomes for vulnerable households.
