To what extent have existing social protection responses succeeded in tackling the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis? To what extent have the shortcomings of the responses and the severity of the crisis been exacerbated due to structural issues that have hindered the development of strong and inclusive social contracts in South Asian countries? And, most importantly, to what extent can universal transfers enhance the shock-responsiveness of existing social protection systems while also strengthening social contracts in South Asia? 

Panellists: 

• Abdul Alim, UNICEF Regional Social Policy Advisor for South Asia 
• Fabio Veras, Research Coordinator, IPC-IG 
• Stephen Kidd, Senior Social Policy Specialist at Development Pathways 

Moderator: Louise Moreira Daniels, Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF Sri Lanka