Presentation to NSS Workshop on Identifying Indicators for Monitoring Development Plans 3 – 6 April 2002 M Babita Statistics SA Presentation to NSS Workshop on Identifying Indicators for Monitoring Development Plans 3 – 6 April 2002 M Babita Statistics SA

Why are we here?? “If I had 4 hours to chop down a tree, I would spend 3 of them sharpening my axe” ……Abraham Lincoln Setting the Scene

Development Plans All stages of the development planning process require information: –Analyse the problem/issue & choose objectives –Set strategies and targets (goals) –Organise framework for implementation coordination monitoring & evaluation of the plan

Importance of poverty Importance of poverty –“ No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which by far the greater part of the numbers are poor and miserable” ……..Adam Smith 1776 International/millenium development goals International/millenium development goals –poverty reduction the first of 6 goals South Africa South Africa –poverty reduction and alleviation is a national priority for the post-apartheid administration – “a better life for all” The Importance of Poverty

To achieve poverty reduction goals To achieve poverty reduction goals –Study, define and measure poverty –scientific study requires explicit measurement Poverty profiles to yield information on Poverty profiles to yield information on –location & spatial attributes of poverty –extent, depth and severity of poverty –characteristics of poverty Poverty profiles useful for Poverty profiles useful for –policy and program development –policy and program monitoring and evaluation The need for information

Uses of maps Uses of maps –represent and communicate information Poverty maps Poverty maps –allow visualisation of the incidence and magnitude of poverty across space Poverty maps are a part of Poverty profiles Poverty maps are a part of Poverty profiles –to be used in conjunction with other independent sources of information Poverty mapping : The What

Capture heterogeneity within regions Capture heterogeneity within regions highly aggregated indicators tend to mask inequalities within regions Identify geographical factors that influence poverty Identify geographical factors that influence poverty analysis of geographical factors requires spatial techniques Improve targeting of resources and interventions Improve targeting of resources and interventions reduce leakage of transfers to non-poor groups and minimise risk of missing poor groups Improve communication about poverty conditions Improve communication about poverty conditions easily understood by non-specialists Poverty Mapping : The Why Source: The World Bank

Decision on poverty measure Decision on poverty measure depends on data availability and proposed uses currently : headcount index based on imputed consumption expenditure (see forthcoming: poverty depth, severity and other inequality measures Construct maps for various administrative regions Construct maps for various administrative regions poverty measure must be reliable and comparable Develop poverty profiles & assessments according to User needs and specification Develop poverty profiles & assessments according to User needs and specification Poverty Mapping : The How

Eastern Cape : District Level

Resource Allocation : Resource Allocation : –used in conjunction with other criteria to allocate grants to municipalities –enabled DPLG to meet constitutional requirements: equitable, predictable and transparent system of transfers Development policy and program input: Development policy and program input: –used in conjunction with other information to plan Urban Renewal Strategies Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Program –Socio-economic analysis of crime hotspots Using Poverty Maps..1

Planning and implementing interventions Planning and implementing interventions –used to control and contain cholera epidemic in SA (Jan-Mar 2001) –Dept of Health used poverty maps in conjunction with other information (sanitation, safe water, housing type etc) to study spread of cholera in Kwazulu-Natal) –communities at risk identified and targeted for health education campaigns, safe water provision and other epidemic control measures –spread of cholera was contained and also achieved one of the lowest case fatality rates in history(0.22% of ~ 100,000 cholera cases) Using Poverty Maps..2

Focus on poor as a group to improve targeting Design & development of evidence-based poverty reduction strategies Tools for monitoring & evaluating progress Guide to “objective” resource allocation Opportunities for service providers to offer integrated services Benefits : Users

Improved User-Producer partnership Promotion of statistical advocacy and governance Opportunities for national and regional capacity building Improved utilisation of data and better knowledge management Benefits : Producer