Radio has been a critical tool to ensure the continuity of learning in the face external shocks. Sierra Leone has used this tool both when Ebola struck, and now, with COVID-19. What can we learn from their experience what can be done to improve the program and deepen its impacts This report...

In Bangladesh, regular increases in social protection budget have typically prioritized increases in coverage over increases in benefit size or amounts. To maximize the impact of social protection (SP) programs, it is critical to: (1) align the allocation of resources with national policies and...

Social protection (SP) in Bangladesh is characterized by a large number of programs. Multiple agencies implement numerous interventions. To maximize the impact of social protection programs, it is critical to: (1) align the allocation of resources with national policies and strategies; (2)...

Policy making requires categorizations, which are commensurate with strategic directions. Social protection is a term, which can be used to describe a broad range of programs. The National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) of Bangladesh has a rather broad scope, covering what many define as safety...

South Africa's social assistance system represents a major intervention by government in addressing the deprivation amongst the country's population. The system is extensive in terms of both the number of people it covers, directly and indirectly, as well as in terms of the amount of scarce...

The policy note presents an updated estimate of learning loss due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) -related school closures in Indonesia, taking into account the Government of Indonesia~^!!^s mitigating measures. Our revised estimates show that school closures precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic...

This is the urban century; over half of humanity now lives in cities and more than 70 percent are expected to do so by 2050. Today, cities are hubs of social interchange, economic vitality, and innovation. Yet the pace and scale of global transformation in where and how people live pose threats...

Special economic zones (SEZs) have been used by many developing countries as a policy tool to promote industrialization and economic transformation. The World Development Report 2020 also recognizes the possibility of using SEZs as a means of facilitating global value chain participation. As a...

Understanding the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is important to inform policy responses. The arrival of COVID-19 disrupted lives across all countries and communities, creating unprecedented challenges. As of August 2021, there have been more than 200 million cases globally, with...

Understanding the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refugees is important to inform targeted policy responses. The arrival of COVID-19 disrupted lives across all countries and communities, creating unprecedented challenges for the world. As of August 2021, there have been more...