Cash transfers and COVID-19: Experiences from Kiryandongo, Uganda. Mini report 3 of 3.

This study explores how unconditional cash transfers influence the ability of refugees to adhere to COVID-19 public health measures, and to access health services during a pandemic.

This report presents the third and final set of findings from the surveys conducted in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Uganda.

Key findings:

• Perception of COVID-19 and compliance with COVID-19 public health measures
  Perceived likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and mask wearing stayed steady over time (at 60% and  5% respectively in October 2020). However, recognition of asymptomatic transmission and self-reported social distancing dropped since July 2020, from 47% for both asymptomatic transmission and self-reported social distancing to 33% and 32%, respectively, in October 2020.
• Food security
  Households that received cash transfers reported being less food insecure compared to households that are yet to receive cash transfers. However, most households across groups reported cutting down the size of meals or skipping meals in the last seven days.
• Alcohol consumption
  Overall, respondents had mixed opinions on whether and how alcohol consumption had changed since baseline or since lockdown. More male respondents (28%) reported consuming alcohol in the last month compared to female respondents (16%). There was no statistically significant differences in drinking behavior among treatment and control households.
• Social cohesion
  Respondents reported that they felt good about inter-refugee and refugee-host relations. Compared to October 2019, refugees reported that inter-refugee and refugee-host relations have improved. However, most respondents noted that overall, the host community treated refugees unfairly with the pricing of goods in markets run by Ugandans.