MIA conducts scoping studies on the feasibility of microinsurance with Save the Children in Rajasthan and Nepal

In the context of Save the Children’s Child Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP) program, MIA was commissioned to perform two scoping studies in India and Nepal.

The scoping study for India was conducted with Save the Children’s local partner; People's Education and Development Organization (PEDO), in the Dungarpur district of Rajasthan. The objective was to study the feasibility of microinsurance as a financial risk management option to overcome future shocks caused by unforeseen calamities resulting in malnutrition amongst children, removal of children from school and forcing children towards early labour. The study’s methodology was a mix of desk work and field visits. The qualitative findings from this study indicate that microinsurance is a viable option for improving risk management within the tribal communities. Save the Children has considered the recommendations given by MIA, and now MIA will provide technical and advisory support for the implementation of a community-based microinsurance scheme with PEDO. The baseline study has already been initiated. In this study MIA will access 500 households and the most frequented health providers in the district.

In response to the positive performance of MIA in Rajasthan, Save the Children has commissioned MIA to conduct a modified study examining in more detail the shocks that affect poor households in the Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal. Looking specifically at three villages with three culturally different communities, MIA’s team performed a risk mapping exercise within the Dalit, Tamang and Pahari communities to establish how they cope with financial hardship. Additionally, the MIA experts met with key informants active in the social protection sector; from local and international NGOs, United Nations bodies, government ministries and commercial insurers, to scope what they do and learn from their experience on difficulties that impede results. MIA’s team put together a status report on the major financial risks faced by the families, along with a set of recommendations that should help Save the Children to strengthen their social protection activities aiming to reduce child labor and labor migration that are often directly linked to financial shocks faced by poor families and their children in Nepal.

http://www.microinsuranceacademy.org/mia-voices-jan11#8