2.PDM and Endline Impact Evaluations

Assessing the Effectiveness of Humanitarian Cash and Livelihood Interventions

Project Snapshot

Client: CARE International
Location: Lower Shabelle Region, Somalia.
Implementation Period: December 2025 – January 2026.
Status: Completed
Sector: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL)
Evaluation Type: Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) & End-line.
Impact Evaluation Target Groups: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), host communities, vulnerable households.

Evaluation Objectives

The evaluation aimed to:
1. Assess the appropriateness, timeliness, and effectiveness of cash and livelihood assistance.
2. Measure changes in household food security, income use, and coping strategies
3. Examine beneficiary satisfaction and protection considerations.
4. Generate evidence-based recommendations to inform future humanitarian responses.

Background & Rationale

Humanitarian cash and livelihoods interventions play a critical role in supporting vulnerable populations affected by conflict and displacement. In the Lower Shabelle Region, CARE International implemented multi-sector cash and livelihood assistance to improve food security, income stability, and household resilience.

To ensure accountability to affected populations and generate evidence for adaptive programming, Tropical Consult was commissioned to conduct Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) and endline impact evaluations. The assessment examined whether assistance reached intended beneficiaries, met priority needs, and contributed to meaningful outcomes.

Scope of Work

Tropical Consult implemented the full assessment process, including:
1.Development of PDM and end-line evaluation frameworks and tools
2.Design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative data collection
3.Recruitment, training, and supervision of field teams
4. Data analysis and interpretation of findings
5. Preparation of final reports with actionable recommendations

Methodology & Approach

A mixed-methods approach was applied to ensure comprehensive analysis:
1. Household surveys with cash and livelihood assistance recipients
2. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with IDPs and host communities
3. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with program staff and local authorities
4. Application of humanitarian accountability and evaluation standards
5. Data quality assurance, ethical safeguards, and validation processes

Key Outputs & Deliverables

1. Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) Report
2. Endline Impact Evaluation Report
3. Cleaned and validated datasets
3. Executive summary for decision-makers
4. Data collection tools and annexes
5. Presentation of findings and recommendations

Key Findings & Results

The evaluation highlighted that:
1.Cash assistance met priority household needs, particularly food and essential items
2. Livelihood support contributed to improved income stability for vulnerable households
3. Beneficiaries reported high levels of satisfaction with assistance delivery
4. Recommendations highlighted the need for enhanced market monitoring and follow-up support

Beneficiaries & Stakeholders

Primary beneficiaries:
1. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
2. Vulnerable host community households
Key stakeholders: CARE International
Local authorities
Community leaders
Humanitarian partners
Geographic Coverage
The assessment covered selected districts in Lower Shabelle Region, Somalia.