The Impact of Vulnerability and Shocks on the Poor : The GUAPA Program in Guatmala
The Guatemala Poverty Assessment (GUAPA) report was part of a broader, multi-year program of analytical work and technical assistance that signals the commitment of the World Bank to poverty reduction and seeks to: (a) contribute to filling the cru...
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| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2012
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2003/04/2540195/impact-vulnerability-shocks-poor-guapa-program-guatmala http://hdl.handle.net/10986/10388 |
| Summary: | The Guatemala Poverty Assessment (GUAPA)
report was part of a broader, multi-year program of
analytical work and technical assistance that signals the
commitment of the World Bank to poverty reduction and seeks
to: (a) contribute to filling the crucial information gaps
on poverty and living conditions; (b) deliver timely outputs
on a regular and on-going basis in response to the
Government's requests and data availability; and (c)
provide longer-term partnering and collaboration on poverty
analysis and strategy. One of the major components of the
study examined how the limited assets of the poor make them
particularly vulnerable to adverse shocks. In the wake of
recent shocks in Guatemala (Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the
recent coffee crisis, droughts and deaths from extreme acute
malnutrition), the issue of vulnerability has taken center
stage in policy discussions. As such, the World Bank
conducted a Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) as part
of the broader GUAPA. The RVA brings a "vulnerability
lens" to poverty analysis. Instead of a passive,
reactive approach (given poverty, what can be done to reduce
it?), it takes a dynamic, proactive approach (given
vulnerability, poverty and risks, what can be done to get
help poor people escape poverty and reduce the likelihood
that others will fall into poverty?). Using a combination of
qualitative and quantitative data, the RVA analyzed both
vulnerability to shocks and vulnerable groups. |
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