Strengthening Social Protection in the Pacific - Aged Care Assessment

Client: Asian Development Bank

Duration:   2020-2021

Location: Tonga

ContractValue:   USD 319,550

Catalogue: Soical Service

Project Description

The purpose of this Knowledge and Support Technical Assistance on Strengthening Social Protection in the Pacific (TA) is to strengthen the social protection in Pacific developing member countries (DMCs) to reach out to the vulnerable groups. Key priority areas include social insurance, social assistance and labor and employment. The TA outputs include(i) gender responsive social protection policies and investments identified andprioritized; (ii) capacity in building social protection systems and delivery of social protection services for vulnerable groups improved; and (iii) knowledge production and partnerships on social protection strengthened. These outputs will result in the following outcome: social protection systems and programs strengthened in selected Pacific DMCs. The TA will be aligned with the following impact: enhanced government capacity and leadership in social protection development in selected Pacific DMCs. The focus of this assignment will be on Tonga.

Services Provided by NAREE

Assess existing aged care status, needs and demands. NAREE will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the aged care in Tonga including undertaking relevant workshops,consultations and surveys with relevant stakeholders. The assessment will also draw from the outputs of the Regional TA: Strengthening Developing Member Countries Capacity in Elderly Care specific to Tonga in identifying the current status of aged care and collect necessary field data to fill key information gaps.

Assess the needs and support required for family carers in Tonga. NAREE will undertake a feasibility study of cash transfers, such as carers’ allowance and/or personal allowances and personal budgets for family carers in Tonga to provide social protection forolder persons with support and care needs and including other people with disabilities. Assessment will likewise include all existing budgetary support and allowances for elders and other persons with disability to rationalize personal care allowance and its likely sustainability. NAREE will particularly examine possible financial framework including an evaluation of different financing options based on budget requirements, government budgetary and administrative capacity and overall sustainability. Gender assessment will be integrated into the analysis to ensure gender responsive approaches andmaximize equal benefits to both men and women.

Identify and design an integrated aged care project in Tonga. NAREE will identify the scope and design of a feasible aged care project suitable in the context of Tonga that would respond to the long-term care needs of the elders. NAREE will provide several innovative options and the final option/design will be determined based on stakeholder workshop and other consultation workshops aimed at getting feedback from key government agencies and other relevant stakeholders including elders and potential service providers.