Cash transfers and household water security among the poor in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

Social protection programs (SPPs) like cash transfers (CTs) have the potential to reduce water poverty and enhance water security by targeting poor households with financial support to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is limited understanding of the relationship between CT and water security. This scoping review provides a synthesis of the existing literature on the linkages between CT and household water security in LMICs. We identified and reviewed eight peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion criteria after searching multiple databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL via EBSCOHost, PubMed, and Global Health. The review revealed that there are positive linkages between CT and water security at the household level through capacity building and behaviour change, economic empowerment, and facilitating social capital and communal activities. While further research is necessary to enhance the existing evidence on the linkages between SPPs and household water security, our findings lay a strong foundation and offer pathways for building SPPs that strengthen water security interventions and outcomes in resource-poor settings. These findings could also aid practitioners in developing SPPs and WASH policies that promote the welfare and well-being of marginalised groups and individuals in LMICs.