Vulnerability and Safety Nets

The ZPRP will address the particular needs of the old, infirm and disabled who are often highly disadvantaged.

There are many children in need of special protection. Who should protect them?

The main strategies are as follows:

	conduct research and gather data on vulnerability and use this as the basis for designing a relevant social services programme
	encourage the private sector, peoples' organisations and communities to be more active in overcoming the problems faced by vulnerable individuals and groups
	support the Society for the Disabled in creating an environment which enables people with disabilities to participate in social and economic activities

Nothing about us without us

There is no current database on vulnerable groups. One of the first activities under ZPRP will be to build the capacity for communities and local authorities to identify vulnerable individuals and groups and to design programmes to support them.

The government recognises the importance of family and community networks as the first line of strategic safety nets in Zanzibar. It will therefore find new ways to support these traditional arrangements rather than replace them. This will include various social funds to support family and community-based safety net programmes.

Special needs are being met through the Maternal and Child Health Programmes, programmes to assist the disabled and the old, and a poor girls' scholarship programme. The government will contribute on a cost sharing basis to locally designed schemes that provide safety nets.

Ten per cent of Zanzibaris are disabled in one way or another. The government should allocate a proportion of the budget to addressing their needs. (Maalim Khalfan Khalfan - UWZ)