2017年-世界发展银行全球_Social_Protection_and_Humanitarian_Assistance_Nexus_for_Disaster_Response___Lessons_Learnt_from_Fijis_Tropical_Cyclone_Winston_56页_1mb

Summary of Social Protection & Humanitarian Assistance Nexus for Disaster Response: Lessons from Fiji's Tropical Cyclone Winston

Core Content

This discussion paper examines the role of social protection in Fiji's humanitarian response to Tropical Cyclone Winston (TC Winston), which struck in February 2016. The cyclone caused extensive damage, affecting over 540,000 people (60% of the population) and resulting in economic losses estimated at F$2 billion (US$0.9 billion), equivalent to over 20% of Fiji's GDP. The government's response included both humanitarian assistance and disaster-responsive social protection programs, highlighting the importance of integrating these systems for effective relief.

Main Points

• Humanitarian Response:
  The Government of Fiji declared a state of natural disaster and emergency, leading a coordinated response through nine national humanitarian clusters. The response was swift and well-organized, with over US$33.4 million in humanitarian funding received, of which 56% was allocated to the response plan.

  • Relief Efforts: Emergency food assistance reached 370,000 people, and cash vouchers were distributed to 82,000 individuals.
  • Logistical Support: Strong civil-military cooperation enabled relief to be delivered to isolated islands.
  • Programs Implemented:
    • Social Welfare Top-up Payments (F$19.9 million)
    • Food Voucher Program (F$4.6 million)
    • Housing Program (F$70 million)
    • Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) withdrawals (F$250.2 million)

• Social Protection System:
  The system has historically focused on four core programs: Family Assistance Program (FAP), Care and Protection (C&P) Allowance, Food Voucher Program (FVP), and Free Bus Fare Program (FBFP). In 2013, the system was reformed, introducing the Poverty Benefit Scheme (PBS) to target the poorest 10% of households.

  • The Poverty Benefit Scheme (PBS) provides F$30 per person to up to four household members, along with a food voucher of F$50.
  • The Social Pension Scheme (SPS) targets elderly individuals aged 68+ not covered by FNPF.
  • The Care and Protection Allowance (C&P) supports vulnerable households with children.
  • The Food Voucher Program (FVP) was expanded in 2014 to support pregnant women in rural areas.
  • The government has significantly increased investment in social protection since 2009, with an annual budget exceeding F$30 million by 2015.

• Impact of TC Winston:
  The cyclone severely impacted agriculture, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Divisions, and led to widespread flooding and destruction of rehabilitation efforts.

  • The government estimated that over 170,000 families were affected by the disaster, with a medium-term recovery budget of F$7 million (US$3.3 million) allocated for the expansion of social protection programs.

• Key Achievements:

  • The government effectively leveraged its existing social protection systems to deliver humanitarian assistance.
  • The use of cash and voucher payments was a novel approach in the Pacific region.
  • The National Cluster System was tested and found to be effective in coordinating the response.

• Challenges and Constraints:

  • Some key clusters were underfunded, limiting their ability to respond effectively.
  • Bilateral donations were not well tracked, affecting coordination and monitoring.
  • The lack of baseline data hindered rapid assessment of needs.
  • Adverse weather and logistics made reaching remote areas difficult.
  • The FNPF withdrawal had potential long-term implications for future pensions and savings.

• Poverty and Economic Context:

  • Poverty in Fiji is defined as hardship, with 28% of the population living below the basic-needs poverty line.
  • Rural poverty rates are significantly higher than urban rates.
  • The informal sector dominates employment, with over 60% of workers not contributing to the FNPF.
  • The labor force participation rate is relatively low at 59%, with significant gender disparities.

Key Recommendations

• Develop an institutionalized Social Protection Policy Framework with a disaster response component.
• Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for disaster-responsive social protection.
• Establish a coordination mechanism for cash transfer interventions during disasters.
• Consolidate and centralize the Poverty Benefit Scheme (PBS) database to include both poor and near-poor households.
• Complement humanitarian assistance with in-kind and cash support, depending on local market conditions.
• Develop a Post-Disaster Communication Plan to improve transparency and coordination.
• Explore Disaster Risk Financing options to enhance preparedness and response capacity.

Conclusion

The response to TC Winston demonstrated the potential of integrating social protection and humanitarian assistance for effective disaster management. The government's ability to quickly deploy relief and expand social protection programs provided critical support to vulnerable populations. However, challenges in funding, data collection, and coordination highlight the need for a more resilient and institutionalized framework for future disaster response.