Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The international organization Oxfam published a report "Shelter from the Storm", in which it analyzed the effectiveness of social protection measures during a pandemic in 126 countries.

Oxfam is an international association of 17 organizations operating in more than 90 countries around the world. The purpose of the organization is to solve the problems of poverty and related injustice in the world. The headquarters is located in Nairobi (Kenya).

According to the study, in 2020 the countries of the world spent US$11.7 trillion to combat the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. However, expenditures are unevenly distributed across states. For example, 83% (US$9.7 trillion) of this money was spent by 36 rich countries. 59 low-income countries account for only 0.4% of the above amount (about US$4.7 billion)

Among the additional funds earmarked specifically for social safety nets, 28 rich countries spent US$695 per person. In contrast, low-income and emerging economies spent between US$28 and US$4 per capita.

According to experts, at present, more than a third of the world’s population (2.7 billion people) does not have any government assistance to cope with the consequences of the pandemic. In 126 low- and middle-income countries, it is noted that disability, unemployment, children and the elderly were not sufficient to meet all basic needs.

In addition, the following highlights from the Oxfam report are highlighted.

First, 52 out of 126 countries surveyed (41%) had adopted social protection programs, but these consisted mainly of one-off payments that had already been spent by the population.

Second, only 10 states (13%) launched programs for social protection of the population, which lasted more than 6 months.

In the rest, social protection measures were short-term.

Third, in 100 countries (80%), launched social protection programs have not reached even half of the needy segments of the population.

It is emphasized that most other countries could pursue more effective policies to support their citizens.

In this context, the work of the governments of South Africa, Namibia and Bolivia, which were better prepared for the crisis, was positively assessed.

Fourth, wealthy nations increased their aid to developing countries for social protection by only US$5.8 billion, well below the expected amount of aid. This is equivalent to less than five cents for every US$100 raised to fight COVID-19.

Oxfam CEO Bucher said the coronavirus united the world with fear, but otherwise split it. Today, many more people are left without attention. There is a tremendous need to improve social protection programs.

According to her, there are currently 500 million people do not have a job. Of these, there are twice as many women as men. Workers in low-income countries were the hardest hit, losing 23% of their time. Migrant remittance flows have dropped sharply, and global poverty and hunger are on the rise.

In this regard, Oxfam experts suggest taking the following measures:

1) the Global Fund for Social Protection to take urgent action to prevent the growth of inequality and poverty;

2) governments to provide in social protection programs to ensure a minimum guaranteed income for children, the elderly, mothers, as well as people living with disabilities, an additional 2% of GDP;

3) increase taxes on the rich by channeling additional revenue into universal social protection programs. It is emphasized that now unprecedented investments are required to counter the crisis.

Overall, the Oxfam report notes that many developing countries were able to mobilize non-financial aid (food) during the pandemic. However, this is not enough to fill a general gap in social protection programs.