THE EFFECTS OF UNCONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER ON THE LIVELIHOOD SUSTAINABILITY OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN LIBERIA

Abstract

The study conducted aims to find out the contribution of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) on the Livelihoods Sustainability of the Rural Households in Liberia, A case of Nimba County. The study’s objectives were to identify beneficiaries of unconditional cash transfer programs in Nimba County; To evaluate the various livelihood activities household that are recipient of unconditional cash transfer are involved with in Nimba County; To determine the long-term impact of unconditional cash transfer on household livelihood sustainability in Nimba County; and to assess the challenges faced by institutions and beneficiaries involved in unconditional cash transfer in Nimba County. In conducting the study, mixed approach designed were adopted, and using Yamane formula, 99 were obtained as a sample size that were selected using the simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire, interview and documentation were used in data collection while content and descriptive statistics were used in data analysis. the study finds that UCT enhances household to cover cost of health care and improve the gender equality, the study also finds, the challenges faced by UCT and its beneficiaries are limited knowledge to sustain cash transfer and lack of sustainability of UCT impact. The study recommends that community outreach should be initiative to enhance the accessibility and also the study recommend that financial literacy and skills should be promoted.