Practice, Challenges and Opportunities of Urban Safety Net Program in Addis Ababa, Akaki Kality Sub City

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze the “Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities of Urban Safety Net Program in Addis Ababa, Akaki Kality Sub City”. Cross-sectional research design and mixed approach are employed to gather data. Key informant interviews and household survey questionnaires were employed to collect data. 78 household samples were drawn randomly from the two woredas of the sub cities. Thematic and descriptive statistics are used for analyzing the data. Though it is difficult to address the poor households from poverty and food insecurity within a short period, urban safety net program has contributed to the improvement of the income and food condition of the beneficiary households. Most of the beneficiaries are still under poverty. Though the cash transfer is inadequate to meet the income needed of households, the program has provided a stable and additional income source for the households who are mostly engaged in jobs with low and varying earnings. Moreover, the cash transfer has become more important for those households that have a few or no income earning members. Likewise, the cash transfer has significant and positive effect on the income-poverty status of the household. The other factors are associated were household size, economically inactive members and income from other livelihoods. The cash transfer has also improved the food security of households. It has contributed in increasing the number of meals taken per day and the food access through purchasing. 43% of the respondents are food insecure, mainly (22%) being moderately food insecure. The reason of remaining in food insecurity for mist beneficiaries could be due to their short (one year) duration in the program. Besides, the beneficiaries’ low and varying income earnings as well as inflation have negatively affected the household’s food access and stability. UPSNP cash transfer has positive and significant relationship with food access. Other variability like sex, marital status, variation of income, household size and income earned from other means of living have significant effect on food access. UPSNP has also involved in environmental cleaning, urban greenery, watershed management and urban agriculture activities enhanced the quality, safety and esthetic of the environment. The study recommends that the urban Safety Net office should adjust the amount of cash transfer for the beneficiaries based on the current living condition as well as improving the working condition of the public workers.