Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 12, 2010 (SKNIS): “Ensuring Responsive and Effective Social Safety Nets: Meeting the Needs of the Vulnerable,” was the theme that fashioned the St. Kitts and Nevis Social Services Consultation Agenda held on Monday, April 12, at the NEMA Conference Room.
 
Recognizing the power of social protection and poverty alleviation as a tool to aid in developing sustainability and economic stability, the Ministry of Health, Social Development, Culture and Gender Affairs in collaboration with UNICEF, UNIFEM and the World Bank; met to discuss matters pertaining to the overall quality of life for all citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
 
The St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) captured the event and spoke with Mrs. Violet Speek-Wanery, Deputy Representative of UNICEF who expressed that United Nations and World Bank agree that the social protection floor should be one of the ways to alleviate the global economic crisis. Both bodies emphasize that social programmes should not only act as stabilizers in the present economic crisis but should be used to address social and economic inequalities in the future.  She added that there are two elements on the social protection arena, one is essential services: providing access to the vulnerable and poor to basic welfare such as education, health and family based services.
 
The other is social transfer, which can be in cash or in kind. She noted that UNICEF, UNIFEM and the World Bank were here on island to communicate with counterparts, so as to alleviate the economic problems small islands are currently facing as a result of the global financial crisis.
 
The UNICEF Representative noted that “social protection not only speaks to economic vulnerability but it promotes economic growth and encourages sustainable poverty reduction,” Mrs. Wanery said. “It also addresses some of the underlying social vulnerabilities and gives small countries a chance to re-evaluate their methods and strategies.”  She further revealed that there are many challenges that affect governments around the world and praised the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for its achievement as 1.6% of the GDP is allocated to social services in the Federation.
 
Meanwhile reaffirming Government’s commitment to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis was Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Honourable Marcella Liburd. She re-emphasized Prime Minister Douglas’ statements from his March 23 Budget presentation promising to remain, …“Steadfast in [Government’s] commitment to the improvement in the quality of life for all its citizens through the strengthening of social programmes and projects including those focused on gender, national development and the general enhancement of the quality of life.”
 
Minister Liburd added that these initiatives will continue effectively to address the most vulnerable in society using preventive interventions and rehabilitative measures.  She further noted that this firm commitment was given in the face of the economic crisis.
 
The Minister thanked the agencies that partnered in conducting the social safety-net programme assessment in St. Kitts and Nevis and told SKNIS that the event was an appropriate vehicle by which stakeholders can influence the process leading to government’s articulation and implementing of efforts to reduce poverty.
 
Minister Liburd stressed her commitment to building stronger families and safer communities throughout the Federation.