Advancing adaptive social protection in Central Asia

This report provides clear guidance for policymakers and partners in Central Asia as they work to strengthen Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) and effectively address the challenges posed by natural hazards and climate change. It is a crucial step in Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), the World Bank and the EU’s shared mission to strengthen financial resilience and mainstream disaster risk reduction in Central Asia.

This report presents a regional comparative view, using three levels of analysis: policy, programs, and finance. The study also provides a series of general and country-specific recommendations. Central Asian countries are emerging economies in a region wracked by earthquakes and flooding, and their populations require scalable and adaptable social protection measures to protect lives and livelihoods. Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) combines social protection, disaster risk management (DRM), and climate adaptation to enhance societal resilience, diminish vulnerability, and alleviate the adverse effects of shocks. It ensures that social protection systems are well-prepared and flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances and the specific needs of those affected.