ODI Shockwatch Social Protection Workshop
Responding to a crisis: The design and delivery of social protection
2 April 2014
Background
One of the primary objectives of social protection is to help households cope with adverse
events, including shocks that affect entire communities, known as covariate shocks. In the aftermath
of a covariate shock, policy needs to be implemented quickly and at a large enough scale to reach
the large number of people typically affected by the shock. Three policy features determine the
effectiveness of social protection shock response: timeliness, adaptability and adequacy in terms of
levels and resources.
In the aftermath of a shock, social protection provision encounters a number of challenges.
The regulation of existing policies designed to address vulnerability and risk during non-crisis times
may contrast with the objective of timely and adequate response in a crisis context. The
complexities encountered in policy delivery in non-crisis times may be further aggravated by the
disruption brought about by a shock. Furthermore, the policy financing mechanisms relied on in noncrisis times come under strain as government budgets are under pressure to contain or cut
expenditures and the need for support increases.
This workshop brings together social protection specialists and humanitarian emergency
response experts to discuss the policy design and implementation features that facilitate timely and
adequate social protection response in the event of a covariate shock and the financing and planning
mechanisms that help secure shock response preparedness.
Draft Programme
9.00am-5.00pm 2 April 2014
Welcome and introduction
9.00-9.15
Welcome - Rachel Slater, ODI
9.15-9.30
Introduction and objectives - Francesca Bastagli, ODI
9.30-10.45
Session 1: Social protection policy and programme design
What measures have countries taken in the aftermath of a covariate shock to scale-up social
protection or ensure the poorest are protected in the context of cuts?
What are the trade-offs associated with these different options? What are the main challenges
encountered and how have they been overcome?
Chair:
Rachel Slater, ODI
9.30-10.30
Margaret Grosh, World Bank via VC
Francesca Bastagli, ODI
Richard King, Oxfam
10.30-10.45
Discussion
Tea break
11.00-1.00
Session 2: Social protection delivery
Which targeting method(s), type of data and instruments for data collection promote flexibility and
the possibility of quick scale-up?
Which modalities of delivery have proved especially promising in the context of a covariate shock?
How have ICT developments contributed to facilitating delivery and what are the main opportunities
and challenges associated with these instruments?
What lessons for social protection delivery in the aftermath of a shock arise from humanitarian and
emergency interventions?
Chair:
Anna McCord, ODI
11.00-12.30
Rebecca Holmes, ODI
Paul Harvey, SLRC
Larissa Pelham, CAREInternational
Miguel Niño-Zarazúa, WIDER
12.30-1.00
Discussion
Lunch
2.00-4.00
Session 3: Social protection planning and preparedness for shock response
What tools are available for facilitating social protection planning and shock preparedness?
What are the financing mechanisms available and what are their relative advantages and
disadvantages in promoting resource availability and rapid disbursement in the event of a shock?
Social protection, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response: there is growing commitment
to integration between these sectors, what has been achieved to date? What lessons for social
protection planning and financing arise from humanitarian and emergency interventions?
Chair:
Nick Taylor, European Commission
2.00-3.15
Anna McCord, ODI
Niels Balzer and Cecilia Costella, WFP
David Calef, FAO
Jeremy Loveless, Independent
Tea break
3.30-4.00
Jenn Yablonski, UNICEF
Heather Kindness and Tim Waites, DFID
4.00-5.00
Session 4: Key issues emerging and the way forward
Chair:
Francesca Bastagli, ODI