A fundamental reappraisal is currently taking place about how best to tackle the chronic poverty and hunger which are prevalent, and increasing, throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. Typically, governments and donors have reacted to these problems only after they have become acute. Moreover, responses tend to be reactive and short-lived, focusing on humanitarian assistance; and, once the crisis has been alleviated, attention drifts away and the problem is forgotten until another "emergency" once more pushes it into the headlines.

In the face of growing evidence, governments and donors alike are recognising that such treatment provides little more than a temporary dressing to a festering sore. In the Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme's (RHVP) series of Advocacy Briefs, the case is presented for a different approach - an approach which not only provides for and protects the poor and hungry, but also seeks to promote them out of poverty. In situations where this approach has already been applied, it is becoming evident that individuals, previously victims of circumstance, can regain control over their lives, that national economies can benefit and that the dependency culture can be overturned. This approach is through predictable social transfers.

An overview of the series


What are social transfers?
As the first in the series, this brief introduces the concept of social transfers. Social transfers mean social assistance provided by public and civic bodies to those living in poverty or in danger of falling into poverty. This 'social assistance' can be cash or a number of other things, or a combination as seen later in the series of briefs.

Why social transfers: the economic case
This brief puts forward the socio-economic case for investing in social transfers. It highlights the benefits of predictable social transfers as a policy instrument to deal with poverty, risk, vulnerability and food insecurity.

Why social transfers: the rights case
This brief discusses the ethical justification for social transfers. This argument appeals to morality and social justice - the humanitarian imperative to assist people during crises, redress social and economic inequalities, and ameliorate severe forms of deprivation and distress.

Choosing the best social transfer
It is evident from the previous briefs that there is a wide range of predictable social transfer instruments to choose from. They range from school feeding to noncontributory pensions and from agricultural inputs to child support grants. With such an array of possible instruments to choose from, how do you decide between them? This brief reviews a number of considerations that should be taken into account in making such a decision.

Delivering social transfers
One of the most significant challenges facing any social transfer programme is how to deliver the transfer to the intended beneficiaries - many of whom may live in remote areas - without fraud, corruption or other abuse, and at an affordable cost.

Targeting social transfers
Targeting is the means of identifying which members of society should receive a particular benefit, such as a social transfer. The rationale for targeting is that, especially when resources are limited, it is better to give a smaller group (such as the poor) a greater amount of support, rather than provide everyone with a smaller amount of support. The argument is that targeting is pro-poor because it reduces "leakages" of scarce public resources to people who do not need social assistance.

Cost, affordability and value of social transfers
f social transfer programmes are to make a meaningful impact on the living standards of the poor, a clear fiscal commitment is required. The financing of social transfers is closely linked to the political will to implement these programmes: where social transfer programmes enjoy political support at the highest levels, sufficient resources are allocated in national budgets.

Are social transfers enough?
This brief highlights the danger of assuming that social transfers on their own can solve problems of chronic poverty and hunger in southern Africa, and points to complementary measures in the areas of social and economic policy that are needed to address the underlying structural causes of these problems.

Why are social transfers popular?
People of all ages, including older people, children and those with disabilities, benefit from social transfers. They like being trusted to take control of their own lives. They see pensions, child benefits, disability grants and other cash transfers as their right. And whilst many people find that the cash they get is not enough to pay for all their needs, it does have a significant impact on their lives. More than just meeting their basic needs, people say that using the money to pay their way and support others helps restore their dignity and sense of self-worth, and relationships and respect between family members improves. Social transfers enable many people to break out of the isolation in which they live, socialise with others and become active members of society.

Implementing social transfers: 10 key messages
The last brief in the series addresses the question: what next? It sets out 10 key messages for national policymakers to help them address practical issues of implementing social transfer programmes.

To view the entire series of Advocacy Briefs, go to http://wahenga.octoplus.co.za/index.php/advocacy/policy_briefs/

Image credit: Eric Miller / World Bank