Résumé (anglais)

This Review presents the findings of a desk study on social protection interventions in South Asia. Its primary purpose is to provide an overview of existing government policies, schemes and programmes in social protection and to display country and regional trends and issues relevant to expanding social protection. It assesses the extent to which South Asian countries are engaged in efforts to build integrated, comprehensive and inclusive social protection systems, and examines whether social protection as currently delivered addresses the needs of the entire population – especially of the poor, those who are systemically excluded, and the vulnerable.

The Review also attempts to assess whether each country’s social protection interventions are part of a larger, overarching national strategy. To the extent information is available, it examines the level of coordination among government agencies and programmes; the adequacy and predictability of budgetary allocations; the proposed versus actual coverage of beneficiaries; and delivery mechanisms in place to ensure beneficiaries are reached. It also reports on existing mechanisms to monitor outcomes, especially poverty reduction outcomes.