World Bank Finds Huge Hole in Social Safety Nets

Manes Feston, flanked by her children, holds her four-month-old son Fedson. He was one of triplets but his siblings died because of a lack of welfare support. The family lives in a remote rural community in southern Malawi. Credit: Travis Lupick/IPSBy Farangis AbdurazokzodaWASHINGTON, May 13 2014 (IPS) Social safety net programmes have expanded, yet 870 million of the world’s poorest people remain uncovered, says a new World Bank report released Tuesday. Although over one billion people in 146 countries now participate in at least one of roughly 475 social safety net programmes, most of the extreme poor – those who live under 1.25 dollars a day – are not, says the report, The State of the Social Safety Nets 2014. Nonetheless, the World Bank’s director for social protection and labour, Arup Banerji, remains hopeful on the growing reach of social safety net programmes, as well as their effectiveness. “There is a strong and growing body of evidence that social safety nets are one of the most cost-effective ways for the countries to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity,” he said. Social safety net programmes comprise transfers in cash or in-kind, designed to provide regular and predictable support to poor and vulnerable people. The report highlights the role of the social safety net in reducing poverty, improving maternal and child health and nutrition, boosting school attendance and learning outcomes, and promoting sustained economic growth. It is th...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Development & Aid Economy & Trade Featured Food & Agriculture Headlines Health Population Poverty & MDGs TerraViva United Nations World social protection World Bank Source Type: news