Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance ParT 2 - Mixed Methods Study in East Lombok

Empatika started March with a follow-up to our study last year on Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) in Central Sulawesi and North Lombok. This new study in East Lombok will be an integrated mixed methods study with surveys followed-up by immersion research and participatory focus group discussions. There will be baseline and endline phases that aim to track changes from the beginning to end of this cash transfer program. 

During the process, we will be exploring how people’s livelihoods have been affected by the 2018 earthquake, how people perceive the assistance, the process and mechanism, how they spend the money, and the impacts that it has on their lives.

Our team conducted the initial survey in early March, working with a quantitative programmer to design the questionnaires. Over eight days, nine researchers from our team visited four different villages receiving the assistance and interviewed more than 500 people.

The remaining parts of the study are currently on hold due to Covid-19, as are the cash disbursements themselves. We hope that it won’t be long before the situation is safe enough to continue the cash disbursements, as this money will no doubt be especially helpful for families in these communities due to the limitations placed on activities and business by the corona outbreak. We also look forward to returning to these communities when it is safe to do so, and will be expanding our own security protocols to ensure safety both for our own researchers along with the study participants.

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