Minimum Expenditure Basket

This indicator assesses if household income is sufficient to meet basic needs, according to commonly agreed local standards. The Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) estimates the cost of food and shelter, plus other priorities identified by disaster-affected communities, such as health and education.

*This is a Global Results Framework indicator. 

 

1) First, identify the most recent MEB values. During a humanitarian response, the MEB is based upon joint needs assessments and the calculations shared via aid coordination mechanisms (often the Food Security Cluster). In non-crisis periods, the equivalent minimum subsistence income or poverty line is usually published by the State.

  

2) Conduct an assessment of household average income over the past (specify number) months. Take advantage of IndiKit's guidance and ensure that you have a representative sample of households. 

  

3) Calculate the number and percentage of households whose previous reported monthly income meet the MEB value.

1) This outcome indicator shows the result of cash transfers on a household’s ability to meet basic needs. It also functions as a process indicator, to ensure the level of the cash transfers is sufficient to meet the needs of the target group.

  

2) The phrasing of the indicator may be changed in order to reflect the minimum income standard relevant in your context, e.g. Poverty Line, Minimum Survival Expenditure Basket, Survival Threshold, Livelihood Protection Threshold, etc.