Public Asked To Comment On Social Assistance Final Report

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is seeking the public’s input on the territory’s Final Social Assistance Report.

Persons can make comments, recommendations and submissions on the document over the next four months.

The document can be accessed on bvi.gov.vg while comments can be sent to the Ministry of Health and Social Development via email at ministryofhealth@gov.vg, or through physical mail at Ministry of Health and Social Development, Vorinica’s House of Commerce, Long Bush,  Tortola VG1110, British Virgin Islands.

In a June 14 government statement, Health and Social Development  Minister Vincent O. Wheatley said the public’s review will guide the social assistance grant policies in the British Virgin Islands to meet the needs of its diverse population in a more effective, efficient and transparent manner, using a sustainable framework.

The main objective is to provide analytical and advisory support to the government in “reforming its social assistance programming and disbursement of community development grants to individuals and Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs).”

“The report is also aimed at increasing harmonisation, coordination and transparency of the relevant policy and governance frameworks, and strengthening their effectiveness. In addition, the urgency of the activities was prompted by the Government’s intention to review the existing systems and practices and to formulate alternatives that would strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the social protection policy instruments while respecting transparency and harmonisations standards as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry,”

The Social Assistance in the British Virgin Islands Review Report was developed and prepared by the Social Policy Research Institute (SPRI Global) in support of UNICEF Eastern Caribbean and the government.

According to the statement, it aligns with the Ministry of Health and Social Development’s mandate to improve the management and delivery of government-funded grants for community-based initiatives and basic instructions for drafting legislative elements for the reform.