Thread by @IPC_IG

1/14 Over the last weeks #LatinAmerica has seen a rapid increase in the number of cases and deaths due to #COVID19 (especially in Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Ecuador) with 1.2M confirmed cases in the region on June 7.

cnn.it/2Up10AS

2/14 Since March countries in the region have adopted emergency #socialprotection measures to support those mostly affected by the pandemic. These interventions are being assessed by @uniceflac and @IPC_IG through a series of technical notes. Read: bit.ly/30y3mkX.

3/14 Emergency #CashTransfers are a core element of government responses. By mid-May, at least 19 countries had used them to mitigate #COVID19 impacts on those more vulnerable to the shock, by either adapting existing programmes &/or creating new temporary schemes. See table:

4/14 Focusing on existing programmes: govs have increased benefits (vertical expansion) and advanced payments; and/or increased coverage of #CashTransfers (horizonal expansion), in at least 11 countries—including Uruguay, Paraguay, Jamaica, Argentina & Colombia.

5/14 In #Uruguay the Tarjeta Social and Asignación Familiar Plan Equidad had their value doubled for a second time, (12% and 10.8% of pop, respect). Both programmes will provide a second transfer divided in 2 payments in June & July.

bit.ly/2UJXe5p

6/14 The @MDSParaguay has antecipated #Tekoporã payments for March and April (the prog. covers 840K pp - 12.2% pop.); and in #Jamaica PATH provided one additional transfer to beneficiary families (that covers 360K pp -12.4% pop.).

7/14 In #Colombia—Familias en Acción & Jóvenes en Acción provided add. transfers (of USD36 and USD89, respectively) in Mar & Jun - covering 10.5 M people (21% of the pop.); also, more social insurance & lab. market measures have been announced in June 1.

bit.ly/2MH2fHt

8/14 In #Argentina the government provided to AUH families not only an additional payment (of 3,100 pesos - USD 46), but also an increase of 13% of transfers’ value—benefiting over ¼ pop. (11M pp). See bit.ly/2MMGJkj & bit.ly/3cTobJY.

9/14 Bolivia #JuancitoPinto, Ecuador #BonoDeDesarrolloHumano, El Salvador (Comunidades Solidarias), Guatemala (BonoSocial), Honduras (Vida major) & the Dominican Rep. #ProsoliRD did not adapt their #CTs but created new temporary schemes to increase coverage.

10/14 In some countries, #SocialPensions were adapted to support the elderly, mostly through advanced payments & pension increases. In #Argentina beneficiaries received +1 payment/person of ARS 3,000 (USD 45)—but only those receiving the min. pension ARS 15.000 (240 USD).

11/14 In Colombia, add. COP80K (USD20) is being transf. to 1.7M social pension beneficiaries for 3 mon; in #Mexico, the gov. advanced 4 mon. of the nat. pension for 8M pp.; in #Peru, 80+ seniors and #PwD can receive domiciliary pays to avoid contagion. See bit.ly/30y3mkX

12/14 While in #CostaRica #CSSS also advanced payments of insurance for disability, old age & death in March. However, since June the gov. stopped accepting new pension requests due to the lack of funds, while 20K pp. are in the waiting list.

bit.ly/2XRTkZP

13/14 Finally, #Brazil just announced changes in #BolsaFamília after the end of #AuxilioEmergencial. Ongoing discussions include changing the prog’s name to #RendaBrasil & adapting eligibility to include 38M informal workers who are not covered by #SP.

bit.ly/30xm23X

14/14 As the #pandemic is expected to have huge eco & social impacts the region, #SocialProtection is now even more important to ensure that the most vul. can cope with the effects of the crisis. For more on #LAC responses, see @SP_gateway OC on #COVID19: bit.ly/3hcoN0E