OPM has been engaged by FCDO as the MEK partner for the HSNP Phase 3. The MEK component has budget for several ‘deep dive’ studies to provide bespoke knowledge outputs to address evidence gaps and to answer new questions as they emerge. Drawing from these ‘deep dive’ resources, FCDO has requested OPM to provide M&E of the COVID-19 CT to assess the impact of the cash on vulnerable people residing in urban informal settlements and to learn lessons for future shock-responsive CTs.

This report presents the findings from the ‘deep dive’ study of the COVID-19 CT. Although the purpose of the study is to provide an evaluative judgment about the COVID-19 CT, it should not be considered as a comprehensive and standalone evaluation, such as the upcoming evaluation of the economic inclusion pilots under KSEIP. Features typical of an evaluation, including for instance an evaluation governance structure or an evaluation results dissemination strategy, are not relevant and specific to this study, which is to be placed and considered in the broader context of the MEK HSNP Phase 3 framework.