Broken Promises - Evaluating an Incomplete Cash Transfer Program

Interventions in highly insecure and fragile contexts are always confronted with the latent risk of not being able to implement program as intended. Despite its high policy relevance, little is known about impacts disruption or cancellation on beneficiaries. This study uses unplanned South Sudan Youth Business Start-Up Grant Program assess socioeconomic, behavioral, psychological consequences a that fails be implemented Originally planned randomized trial, Startup consisted an unconditional cash grant combined business life skills training targeting youth Sudan. Due intensification violence country, disbursement was terminated late 2016 before most intended beneficiaries had accessed grant. The survey data from face-to-face interviews experimental lotteries, trust games, list experiment comprehensive form. empirical analysis employs instrumental variable regressions control for individual characteristics might have made it more likely access frozen. results show participants who received originally treatment displayed significant improvements their consumption, savings, well-being. However, vainly expected receive showed reduced levels consumption women among this subgroup also experienced strong reductions level. In addition, finds some evidence these were less migrate.