Chronic Poverty Research Centre

 CPRC Research Theme 4: Insecurity, Risk and Vulnerability

• Introduction to insecurity, risk and vulnerability theme
• Key CPRC publications
• Contacts

Introduction to insecurity, risk and vulnerability theme

Research under the "Insecurity, risk and vulnerability" CPRC research theme will aim to develop a conceptual framework for examining the links between insecurity and vulnerability on the one hand, and chronic poverty on the other. It will also focus on developing a strong and comparative body of evidence on these links, and to assess the effectiveness of policy options.

Special attention will be given to developing research in two key areas: household dynamics and informality. Household dynamics, for example as a result of births or deaths, can be an important source of vulnerability, leading to persistent poverty. But they can also represent a response to vulnerability, and provide a means of escaping chronic poverty. The same applies to informality. Examining the link between vulnerability and chronic poverty in the context of household dynamics and informality will generate important insights into the nature of this link, and into appropriate conceptual frameworks to analyse it.

Research on the nature of the linkages between insecurity and vulnerability and chronic poverty is essential to provide robust foundations for policy analysis, and has a lot to offer in providing the foundations for stronger and more effective policy.

• A clearer perspective on how to approach the linkages existing between vulnerability and persistent poverty, and a stronger, and comparative, body of evidence is needed to make the case that risk and vulnerability are significant factors behind poverty traps.
• It is important to develop a strong body of evidence to show that social protection interventions focused on the poor, and especially on the chronically and persistent poor, are desirable, affordable and effective.
• It is also important to develop and apply analytical tools for identifying and measuring the impact of social protection interventions - programmes and policies - on the dynamics of poverty, and especially upon the chronically poor. This will provide knowledge of the types of interventions likely to be effective in reducing and mitigating the impact of risk and vulnerability on chronic poverty.

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Key CPRC publications

Book

Barrientos, A. and Hulme, D. (eds) (2008) Social Protection for the Poor and Poorest - Concepts, Policies and Politics, Palgrave MacMillan, 2008. ISBN 978-0-230-52530-6

Policy Briefs

Marcus, R. (2007) Social protection transfers for chronically poor people, CPRC Policy Brief 2.

Marcus, R. (2007) Tackling obstacles to Social protection transfers for chronically poor people, CPRC Policy Brief 3.

Policy Briefs - Uganda

Lwanga-Ntale, C. (2007) A social protection agenda for Uganda’s poorest of the poor, CPRC-Uganda Policy Brief 2/2006.

Mugambe, B. (2007) Targeting and protecting the chronically poor in Uganda: A case for the elderly, CPRC-Uganda Policy Brief 3/2006.

Namuddu, J. (2007) Social protection and cash transfers in Uganda: frequently asked questions, CPRC-Uganda Policy Brief 1/2007.

Database

Barrientos, A. and Holmes, R. (2007) Social Assistance in developing countries database, version 4.0.

Working Papers

Barrientos, A. (2006) Does vulnerability create poverty traps? CPRC Working Paper 76.

Barrientos, A. (2003)  What is the impact of non-contributory pensions on poverty? Estimates from Brazil and South Africa, CPRC Working Paper 33.

Barrientos, A. (2006) Extending social assistance in China: lessons from the Minimum Living Standards Scheme, CPRC Working Paper 67. 

Prowse, M. (2003) Towards a clearer understanding of ‘vulnerability’ in relation to chronic poverty, CPRC Working Paper 24.

Scott, L. (2003) Chronic poverty and the environment: a vulnerability perspective, CPRC Working Paper 62.

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Contacts

Armando Barrientos, Theme Coordinator, Insecurity, risk and vulnerability
44 (0) 161 275 2811 (Tel)

Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM)
School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester
Humanities Bridgeford Street
Manchester M13 9PL
UNITED KINGDOM

44(0)161 275 2800 (Tel-switchboard)
44 (0)161 273 8828 (Fax)

www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm

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