The Impact of Cash Transfer Programmes on the Spontaneous Quality of Life of Internally Displaced Persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have experienced several surges of conflicts, for over a decade. Since 2008, it has been estimated that approximately 5 million people from FATA have been displaced. The causes of the large-scale displacements that have taken place throughout this time are mainly due to the conflicts that have been brought about by terrorism as well as the collateral damage due to counter military operations that have been launched by the Pakistani army. Millions of lives have been adversely affected; nevertheless, attention has been placed on helping these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) using cash transfers such as that provided by FATA Disaster Management Authority. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the implemented cash transfer programmes have impacted the spontaneous quality of life of the IDP’s. This takes into account factors that would assist them to eventually lead a life that is free of excessive burdens after their rehabilitation. Secondary data was retrieved from FDMA, which was collected in 2016. Several different tests were run such as descriptive and frequency tests in order to analyze and draw results. From the results, it was deduced that the Cash Transfer Programme by FDMA was not sufficient by itself to increase or maintain the spontaneous quality of life of the IDP’s. One of the implications of the study was that additional assistance such as education and livelihood opportunities was also essential to ensure that the IDP’s were able to maintain a decent quality of life.