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Social Protection in a World of Crisis : Learning from the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemicin Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus

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  • World Bank
  • Coll-Black,Sarah
  • Von Lenthe,Cornelius Claus
  • Koettl-Brodmann,Stefanie

Abstract

This paper explores the social protection response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia,Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to learn lessons on how to build the resilience of their social protectionsystem. These countries made substantial efforts to address the most serious consequences of the pandemic, pragmaticallyharnessing existing programs to reach vulnerable groups, while also introducing innovations to fill gaps in theexisting social protection system. Rigidities in administrative systems, complex eligibility criteria, aswell as weaknesses in information systems, limited governments’ ability to quickly identify and reach thosehouseholds that were most vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic with adequate support. These challenges strengthenthe case for investment in crisis preparedness – most immediately by improving the functioning of socialprotection systems and setting out the design features and delivery systems to support a response to future covariate shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • World Bank & Coll-Black,Sarah & Von Lenthe,Cornelius Claus & Koettl-Brodmann,Stefanie, 2023. "Social Protection in a World of Crisis : Learning from the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemicin Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 183521, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:hdnspu:183521
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    References listed on IDEAS

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