Household-based cash transfer targeting strategies in Zimbabwe: Are we reaching the most vulnerable children?

► We compared three methods for targeting cash transfer programmes to vulnerable children in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. ► All the methods failed to identify large numbers of children with poor health and education outcomes. ► Targeting poor children using an asset-based wealth index was the most efficient method for reaching vulnerable children. ► Targeting based on socio-demographic criteria improved coverage of vulnerable children but was less efficient.