Part 1.2 The Minimum Expenditure Basket

The Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) is defined as what a household requires in order to meet basic needs – on a regular or seasonal basis – and its average cost. Determining the MEB serves three functions: a) it is a holistic reflection of need as perceived by crisis affected populations, including those needs that fall outside of traditional sectors, e.g. communication, transport, etc), b) by determining what should be in it, we know which markets for goods and services should be included in Part 1.3 Multi-Sector Market Assessment (households need X, Y and Z, but can they find it locally?) and c) by influencing the design of the MPG transfer value, as it relates to the objectives of the programme and reflects the vulnerability of the target group and Gap Analysis (Part 2).