Safety Nets Work

SAFETY NETS WORK WORLDWIDE, PEOPLE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE STRIVING TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVELIHOODS IN THE FACE OF MULTIPLE RISKS. SAFETY NETS PROVIDE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND HELP BUILD RESILIENCE TO CRISES, BUT MANY OF THE POOREST AND MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE REMAIN UNCOVERED. WHAT DO SAFETY NETS LOOK LIKE? Safety net programs take many forms. PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS generate temporary jobs O HEALTH CARE LLLIL FAMILIES RECEIVE and income. CASH TRANSFERS when their children attend schools and visit health clinics. NUTRITIONAL FEEDING PROGRAMS provide vitamin supplements for pregnant and nursing mothers, and school meals for older children. WHY ARE SAFETY NETS IMPORTANT? The world is becoming a riskier place. People need protection from economic crises, natural disasters, and unemployment. {11} 3 OUT OF PEOPLE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES are not covered by safety nets. Globally, natural disasters increased from 100 in 1975 to 400 in 2005; related human costs nearly quadrupled in that time. 400 IN The recent food 2005 crisis trapped almost 100 50 MILLION IN 1975 PEOPLE IN EXTREME POVERTY. WHAT IMPACT DO SAFETY NETS HAVE? INDONESIA: Safety nets alleviate poverty and inequality, feed the hungry, improve health and provide jobs. 1/3 BANGLADESH: 850,000 of the population received cash transfers schoolgirls received cash stipends to cushion against rising fuel prices. based on enrollment and performance. LIBERIA: //////////I Public works programs provided ETHIOPIA: A+ Safety nets reached 7.6 MILLION 640,000 chronically food- insecure people. days of employment. A- For more information about the World Bank's work in safety nets, please visit: www.worldbank.org/safetynets THE WORLD BANK %3D