Shock-Responsive Social Protection in Timor-Leste

Highlights

Climate change is a significant concern that profoundly impacts children, families, and communities worldwide. In the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region, it stands out as the primary driver of shocks and disasters. Timor-Leste, as a Small Island Developing State in this region, faces heightened vulnerability to climate-related environmental challenges and disaster risks, which disrupt the lives of its children.

Implementing well-structured social protection programs, such as cash transfer initiatives, plays a critical role in equipping families and caregivers to prepare for, manage, and recover from these challenges. These measures can be designed to uphold and protect children's rights during difficult times.

However, a critical area that requires attention in Timor-Leste is the insufficient emphasis on the risks of malnutrition, poverty, and health inequities, which are worsened by the impacts of climate change. This policy brief, based on systematic literature reviews, consultations with key stakeholders, and an analysis of government budgets, offers recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of existing social protection programs, making them more responsive to climate-related shocks and better addressing future risks.