The World Bank is keen to support a Government initiative to improving social protection system by strengthening rural safety net and introducing new urban safety net programs in order to reduce vulnerability of ultra-poor in the country.
The proposed National Social Protection Project (NSPP) of the Government envisages addressing the important sources of vulnerability and providing support mechanisms for mitigating future shocks as well as reducing existing vulnerability of the poor.   Â
Under this initiative, improvement to four areas of social protection will be made:
1. Cash assistance and cash for work for poor living in unions through local government with enhanced accountability and transparency to strengthen rural safety nets.
2. Under a new urban safety net programs, cash assistance will be provided to vulnerable households and poor children living in peri-urban areas surrounding Dhaka.
3. Technical assistance to increase access to micro insurance through existing microfinance institutes and
4. Under local government supervision, setting up of early childhood development clubs at community level to provide a critical package of educational, nutritional, and stimulating practices to young poor children.Â
The local government institutes, with the help of non-government institutions, will play a leadership role in implementing various components of this proposed initiative. Union Parishads will administer the rural safety net program and childhood development clubs, while municipal governments will implement the urban safety net program. The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperative will coordinate implementation of NSPP, which also seeks to strengthen capacity of the local government institutes through this initiative.
June 2007
Contacts:
S.M. Rezwan Ul Alam, (8802) 815-9015, Ext 4242
e-mail: salam3@worldbank.org
For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit : www.worldbank.org.bd & www.worldbank.org
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