Value for Money Analysis of Emergency Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance Delivery Models in Ukraine

Key Aid Consulting led the Value for Money (VfM) Assessment of the PeReHID Initiative, analysing how different Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) delivery models perform in Ukraine’s humanitarian context. Using a mixed-methods approach—including document reviews, 12 programme budget analyses, 22 key informant interviews, and focus group discussions—Key Aid compared Rapid, Regular, and Expansion MPCA models under the FCDO 4Es framework (Efficiency, Effectiveness, Equity, and Economy).

The study identified critical trade-offs between cost-efficiency, timeliness, and equity, highlighting that:

• MPCA, which builds on government systems, is the most cost-efficient (CTR 0.19) but faces inclusion/exclusion challenges.
• Rapid MPCA remains the most equitable and timely model for shock responses.
• No single model outperforms across all VfM criteria — a hybrid approach offers the best balance.

The report provides actionable recommendations for donors and implementers to embed VfM analysis from programme design, strengthen data-sharing between humanitarian and government systems, and support Ukraine’s transition toward a more shock-responsive social protection system.