Social Safety Net Reform Puente Program in Suriname Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Housing April 6, 2010 Clarisse Pawironadi – Dasi

Overview Existing Social Safety Net within Sozavo; Challenges; Studies done; Main Proposals; ‘Puente’ in Suriname: –Update –Next steps Conclusion

Existing Social Safety Net within Sozavo Targeted and untargeted cash transfer programs; Medical card program; Day care centers, Home care for the elderly; Residential homes for target groups; Counseling services for target groups; Family coaching project.

Challenges Programs are: – administered by the different ministries; –serve the same general target group; –have separate targeting procedures; Beneficiaries are required to apply for each program; Inefficient use of human and financial capital.

Social Safety Net SoZaVo Medical Card School Supplies etc. Health - Medical Care interior Labor: -Training Foundation (SAO); Education School transportation; School Allowance Regional Devt. - CDFS Challenges (cont’d)

Studies done Suriname’s Poverty and Social Safety Net Assessment (2005); Institutionele/organisatorische studie & capaciteits versterkingsplan SoZaVo (2006); Social Safety Reform Strategy (2007); Consultations with the relevant stakeholders (ministries, NGOs, International Organisations etc.); Seminar regarding the Conditional Cash Transfers (June 2007); 2008: Design Porposal for a Social Protection Reform in Suriname; Comprehensive Capacity Strengthening Plan and Strategic Framework (March 2010).

Main Proposals Integration of programs to reduce the duplication and fragmentation in service delivery (Unified National Cash Transfer); Improve targeting (PMT); Poor and Vulnerable target groups Promote the Transition to actively participate in society (Puente Program a la Suriname);

‘Puente’ in Suriname Update: Assessment of the Capacity of divisions providing immaterial services; Assessment training needs; Basic internal trainings: Training on Community development Training in Basic Counseling Identification division providing immaterial services in implementing Puente components.

Next Steps Install steering committee ‘Puente in Suriname’; Identification group Social Workers and target group participating in ‘Puente in Suriname’; Promotion ‘Puente in Suriname’.

Conclusion The existing Social Safety Net within Sozavo; Challenges; Studies done; ‘Puente’ in Suriname: –Update –Next steps

End of Presentation Thank you