Malawi readiness assessment: delivering anticipatory social protection

This study uses the ASPIRE tool to evaluate the readiness and effectiveness of social protection systems in Malawi, identifying gaps and opportunities to improve anticipatory measures and climate resilience. The analysis shows that Malawi's National Social Support Programme II (MNSSP II) aims to provide a comprehensive social protection framework, targeting vulnerable groups like women, children and the elderly.

It is designed to be flexible and responsive to life-cycle needs and various shocks, including climate events. Despite these ambitions, the policy faces significant challenges, such as funding limitations, external dependency, and gaps in targeting beneficiaries effectively. Mechanisms like the Universal Beneficiary Registry and annual assessments by the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee have been instituted, but they fall short of capturing the very poor people and marginalised categories.