Implementation of a Pilot Study in Strengthening Informal Social Protection Mechanisms in Africa

• Country: Zimbabwe
• Summary: Implementation of a Pilot Study in Strengthening Informal Social Protection Mechanisms in Africa
• ZWT Ref No: 38305738
• Deadline: 06 Dec 2019
• Financier: United Nations Secretariat
• Purchaser Ownership: Government
• Tender Value: Refer Document
• Notice Type: Tender
• Document Ref. No.: 61567
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• Description:
• BackgroundThe State's obligation to deliver social protection to the poor and vulnerable populations is articulated in national policy documents and Constitutions of many African countries, however, the availability of social protection schemes is still very limited, with only 17.8 percent of Africans covered. The absence of formal social protection schemes does not mean that individuals and communities are devoid of means to cope with sudden misfortunes. Traditional forms of support, also called informal or indigenous social protection, are provided typically on a reciprocal basis by friends, family, or by people within the same social group. In other cases, relief is provided by religious organizations, charities, private foundations or individuals. Because of the limited ability of the state to cover all those who need social protection, the role of informal mechanisms will remain crucial, in the African context, for a foreseeable future.Despite their uncontested value in delivering essential social assistance, informal support mechanisms are under threat due to several recent phenomena. Rural-urban and irregular migration, the HIV/AIDS epidemic that resulted in single-headed or skipped-generation households, or idiosyncratic shocks are seriously undermining the traditional support systems at the household level and might result in persons retorting to negative coping strategies such as depleting productive assets, skipping meals, sending children to work or engaging in hazardous behaviour. When shocks affect entire communities, as it is the case with environmental and climate change-induced shocks or public health epidemics, the existing coping strategies are under severe stress, particularly when the communities are already poor. Humanitarian assistance, while bringing the necessary relief, offers only a short-term solution without making the necessary investments into building communities' resilience to future shocks. The long history and rich practices of inf...
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