Α social protection ‘risk deal’: the missing element for connecting money-in and money-out

This working paper asks what is required for social protection systems to deliver timely, predictable, well-targeted and cost-effective shock response to disasters. Currently, international support for two key elements – namely, investments in shock-responsive social protection and securing pre-arranged funds for shock response – are growing.

The paper, however, argues that a third, linked element is necessary: the need for governments to clarify a shift in the social contract through reliable disaster-contingent public policy and for international actors to align behind this objective.