A/HRC/11/9 page 5 6. As set out in her 2008 report to the General Assembly, for her first thematic report to the Human Rights Council the independent expert presents below an analysis of cash transfer programmes (CTPs) from a human rights perspective. 7. For the purpose of this report, CTPs refer only to non-contributory programmes providing payments in the form of cash to individuals or households. The primary objective of CTPs is to increase the real income of beneficiaries in order to enable a minimum level of consumption within the household, including access to social services. This report does not examine in-kind benefits (such as vouchers, food for work, school meals, etc.). It also excludes microfinance schemes (e.g. loans that require repayment, saving clubs), insurance schemes (e.g. self-financed health insurance, contributory pension systems) or any forms of subsidies (e.g. for food, energy supplies or education and health waivers). 8. In October 2008, the independent expert sent a questionnaire to all Governments requesting information on CTPs being implemented in their respective countries. The questionnaire covered five main aspects of CTPs: (a) the legal and institutional framework; (b) the extent of funding and coverage; (c) implementation procedures; (d) monitoring mechanisms and complaints procedures; and (e) studies and evaluations. Thirty-one responses were received between October 2008 and February 2009 from all regions of the world.1 9. On 26 and 27 February 2009, the independent expert convened a meeting organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.2 Twenty-eight experts from Governments, NGOs, United Nations departments and agencies, and academic institutions from across the world attended the meeting and analysed CTPs from a human rights perspective. 10. The information on which this report is based was obtained from the questionnaire, during the expert meeting, and through an in-depth review of the available literature. The independent expert wishes to express her gratitude to all States that submitted information and to the experts and NGOs that assisted in the preparation of this report. She will continue evaluating these programmes in future mission reports. II. CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMMES 11. Cash transfers have long been integrated in social policies in developed countries. In recent years however, cash transfer programmes have been implemented in every region of the world, especially in Latin America, Africa and South Asia. Several CTPs are targeted at the poorest households and at sections of the population that are regarded as vulnerable (e.g. older people, persons with disabilities, children). The transfer may entail a non-contributory old-age pension 1 Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Zambia. 2 With the support of the Department for International Development, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.