MODULE 4: CONSULTING THE POOR ON SAFETY NETS

Blessings Chinsinga (Team leader)

Chris DzimadziRegson ChawezaPatrick KambewaPrince KapondamgagaOvertoun Mgemezulu

INTRODUCTION

• Overall objective: consulting the poor

• Traditional support systems• Selection of beneficiaries – fair methods

TIPDirect Welfare Transfers (cash and in kind)

• Effective and fair management

DEFINITIONS OF POVERTY

• The rich• The relatively well-off• The struggling• The very poor

Easy to define the rich and the very poor

TRADITIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS

• Common systemsReciprocatory (funeral and illness)Care for the vulnerableNo relation to poverty relief

• Changes over time

• Role of traditional structures

TIP – 2000/01

• What happened last yearRegistration

Distribution

• RecommendationsBeneficiaries to be announced at meetings

Vouchers to bear names of beneficiaries

Village heads to be present at distribution centres

TIP – 2001/02SELECTION

• Simulate the selection of beneficiaries:

1/3 of village• Is community targeting feasible?

Social mappingCard gameCriteria for inclusion & exclusion

TIP – 2001/02 SELECTION

• Targeting not easy but possibleResistance across all sites

•Social conflicts•Equity

• Regional variations• Small group easier than larger

ones beyond the vulnerable

TIP – 2001/02 SELECTION

• Need for facilitators• Need for information / sensitisation

(who, when, what…)• Selection to be managed by a

broader group

TIPMANAGEMENT

• Management of TIPDemocratically elected committeeVillage headman BeneficiariesOutsiders

• No clear preference (hybrid structures)

TIPMANAGEMENT

• Scoring alternatives Packs split in half before distributionPacks split in half after distributionJump a year (receive this year but not

next)Half the village receivesVillage head shares (using a cup)No TIP

TIP

• Overall conclusionsTargeting an alien concept Community targeting possible but

requires considerable resourcesPreferences for egalitarian

distribution options

DIRECT WELFARE TRANSFERS

• Cash transfers - MK 550 per month• In-kind transfers

1 pail, 1 blanket, 4 plates, 2 pots, 10 tablets (laundry soap) and 10 tablets (bathing soap)

50 kg bag of maize per month (4 months after receipt of the initial package)

DIRECT WELFARE TRANSFERSSELECTION

• Feasibility of targetingSame procedure as in TIP (card game)BUTSelect 10% of households

• Overall conclusionResistanceTargeting easier as compared to TIP

DIRECT WELFARE TRANSFERS

TYPE OF TRANSFER

• Cash vs In-kind transfersAdvantages and disadvantagesOverwhelming preference for in-kind

transfers Especially women and the vulnerable