The 2014 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa is the largest to date by far. Ebola Virus Disease causes disproportionate mortality among the working-age population, resulting in far more mortality for parents of young children than other health crises.
... Voir la suite This paper combines data on the age distribution of current and projected mortality from Ebola with the fertility distribution of adults in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, to estimate the likely impact of the epidemic on the number of orphans in these three countries. Using the latest mortality estimates (from February 11, 2015), it is estimated that more than 9,600 children have lost one or both parents to Ebola Virus Disease. The absolute numbers of orphans created by the Ebola epidemic are significant, but represent a small fraction (1.4 percent) of the existing orphan burden in the affected countries. Ebola is unlikely to increase the numbers of orphans beyond extended family networks' capacities to absorb them. Nonetheless, the pressures of caring for increased numbers of orphans may result in lower quality of care. These estimates should be used to guide policy to support family networks to improve the capacity to provide high quality care to orphans.
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Document de travail de recherche sur les politiques WPS7196 FEB 01, 2015
Policymakers and development groups are interested in innovative ways to deliver cash transfer programs and make an impact where its needed most.
... Voir la suite In Bangladesh, World Bank researchers worked with the government to evaluate a pilot social protection program that conditioned transfers on primary school attendance, monthly growth monitoring for young children and monthly nutrition sessions for mothers. Payments were made to mothers via electronic cash cards. While the program had no effect on school attendance, it significantly boosted consumption of protein and other nutrition- rich foods, and reduced wasting. Based on the results, the nutrition-related part of the program is being scaled up with World Bank assistance to reach 600,000 of the poorest households across Bangladesh, potentially benefitting 2.7 million people. Bangladesh reduced the percentage of families living in poverty by almost a third over the past decade to 30 percent, but the country hasnt been as successful at cutting the rate of wasting and stunting among children. Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world and 41 percent of children below the age of 5 are stunted. About five million children are also out of school.
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At the end of 2013, there were about 3.3 million people who remained forcibly displaced within the Great Lakes Region (GLR) of Africa. Of these, 82 percent were internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 18 percent refugees; 64 percent were under 18 years old.
... Voir la suite This Report analyzes the extent, causes, and character of this forced displacement, with particular attention to certain situations.
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Investing in young children is one of the best investments that countries can make. A childs earliest years present a unique window of opportunity to address inequality, break the cycle of poverty, and improve a wide range of outcomes later in life.
... Voir la suite A growing body of literature demonstrates that the returns on investments in young children are substantial, particularly when compared to investments made at later stages in life. Yet while there is an emerging consensus that investments in early childhood development (ECD) should be a priority and can have high returns, countries continue to fall short in their investments in ECD. This is due in part to budget constraints, but also to the fact that ECD is complex and multi-sectoral. There is still lack of awareness of how countries can design successful policies and scalable programs in this area. This note, which is based on Denboba et al. (2014), provides an accessible introduction to key interventions and broader principles that can help policy makers and practitioners think about how to effectively invest in ECD.
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Among the various investments in human capital that countries can make, those related to early childhood development (ECD) may have the largest returns later in life.
... Voir la suite The rate of return on investments in ECD depends on a number of factors, including the focus, length, and quality of an ECD program. But these rates of return have been shown to be as high as 17:1 (Heckman, 2008). By one estimate, increasing preschool enrollment to 50 percent in low- and middle-income countries could result in additional lifetime earnings ranging from $15 billion to $34 billion (Engle et al., 2011). During a childs early years, there are four critical domains of development: physical, cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional. Neurological studies have shown that synapses develop rapidly during a childs first few years, forming the basis of cognitive and emotional functioning. Adequate nutrition and stimulation, especially during a childs first 1,000 days, play a critical role in brain development. Malnutrition in the early years not only leads to poor physical growth, but can also impede brain development; it is linked with delayed cognitive development and low academic achievement throughout a childs life. By contrast, early investments that reduce the risk of malnutrition can have long-term impacts on the individual, the community, and society as a whole. Similarly, early childhood education provides building blocks to ensure that children learn the skills necessary to succeed throughout life, from primary school through tertiary education and into the labor market.
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Fiche 93205 NOV 01, 2014
Denboba, A.; Devercelli, A.; Neuman, M.; Sayre, R.; Wodon, Q.
Investing in young children is one of the best investments that countries can make. A childs earliest years present a unique window of opportunity to address inequality, break the cycle of poverty, and improve a wide range of outcomes later in life.
... Voir la suite Recent brain research suggests the need for holistic approaches to learning, growth, and development, recognizing that young childrens physical and intellectual well-being, as well as their socio-emotional and cognitive development, are interrelated. To fully benefit from future opportunities in life and become productive members of society, by the end of early childhood, young children must be: healthy and well-nourished; securely attached to caregivers; able to interact positively with families, teachers, and peers; able to communicate in their native language; and ready to learn throughout primary school. This document draws on these existing frameworks and broad evidence on the impacts of ECD interventions. It summarizes some of the existing literature on this topic with the aim to identify key interventions needed for children. The document is intended to provide an easily accessible introduction to interventions and integrated services that could help policymakers and practitioners think about how to effectively invest in ECD. In addition to identifying key interventions, the document outlines four principles that can help countries design and implement strong ECD policies and programs. Countries should: (i) prepare an ECD diagnostic and strategy; (ii) implement widely through coordination; (iii) create synergies and cost savings through integrated interventions; and (iv) monitor, evaluate, and scale up successful interventions. In terms of interventions, within the ECD period, 25 key interventions are identified as essential for a childs growth and development. For each intervention, illustrative costs and impacts are provided. These are based on existing evidence and are only intended to be indicative. The document suggests that these interventions can be delivered through five integrated packages at different stages in a childs life. The five packages of interventions include: (a) the family support package, which should be provided throughout the ECD period, (b) the pregnancy package, (c) the birth package (from birth to six months), (d) the child health and development package, and (e) the preschool package.
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Investing in young children is one of the best investments that countries can make. A childs earliest years present a unique window of opportunity to address inequality, break the cycle of poverty, and improve a wide range of outcomes later in life.
... Voir la suite Recent brain research suggests the need for holistic approaches to learning, growth, and development, recognizing that young childrens physical and intellectual well-being, as well as their socio-emotional and cognitive development, are interrelated. To fully benefit from future opportunities in life and become productive members of society, by the end of early childhood, young children must be: healthy and well-nourished; securely attached to caregivers; able to interact positively with families, teachers, and peers; able to communicate in their native language; and ready to learn throughout primary school. This document draws on these existing frameworks and broad evidence on the impacts of ECD interventions. It summarizes some of the existing literature on this topic with the aim to identify key interventions needed for children. The document is intended to provide an easily accessible introduction to interventions and integrated services that could help policymakers and practitioners think about how to effectively invest in ECD. In addition to identifying key interventions, the document outlines four principles that can help countries design and implement strong ECD policies and programs. Countries should: (i) prepare an ECD diagnostic and strategy; (ii) implement widely through coordination; (iii) create synergies and cost savings through integrated interventions; and (iv) monitor, evaluate, and scale up successful interventions. In terms of interventions, within the ECD period, 25 key interventions are identified as essential for a childs growth and development. For each intervention, illustrative costs and impacts are provided. These are based on existing evidence and are only intended to be indicative. The document suggests that these interventions can be delivered through five integrated packages at different stages in a childs life. The five packages of interventions include: (a) the family support package, which should be provided throughout the ECD period, (b) the pregnancy package, (c) the birth package (from birth to six months), (d) the child health and development package, and (e) the preschool package.
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A development response to forced displacement in the Sahel requires a regional approach. Such an approach would have the benefits of being able to: (i) overcome challenges relating to cross--- border movements, (ii) obtain commitments by host governments to support the prospects of displaced from neighboring countries and (iii) facilitate common approaches, shared conceptualization and learning.
... Voir la suite A regional approach will be appropriate in the context of ECOWAS cooperation, as three of five countries suffering the heaviest displacement in the region are members of that organization, namely Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The purpose of this scoping study on forced displacement is to contribute towards the formulation of a regional policy framework for sustainable solutions to displacement and towards the substantiation of a development response. This study, undertaken jointly by UNHCR and the Global Program on Forced Displacement (GPFD) in the Social Development Department (SDV) of the World Bank in June 2013, indicates that the main development challenges for the displaced in the region.
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Countries around the world increasingly rely on conditional cash transfers to boost health and education outcomes for the poorest citizens. In developing and middle income countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, cash transfer programs are proving effective in a range of areas, including as an incentive to get more girls in school.
... Voir la suite In the Philippines, the World Bank teamed up with the Government of the Philippines in 2007 to develop the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a conditional cash transfer program for the poor. An impact evaluation was built into the program to measure the effect. Based on the evidence, the Government of the Philippines has increased the cash transfer amount for older students and expanded the program to include children ages 15 to18, who were not previously covered. As policy makers and development experts continue to search for innovative ways to help the worlds poor, the findings from this evaluation will provide much-needed evidence for designing increasingly effective programs.
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This report presents an analysis of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs and policies that affect young children in Guinea and recommendations to move forward.
... Voir la suite This report is part of a series of reports prepared by the World Bank using the SABER-ECD framework and includes analysis of early learning, health, nutrition and social and child protection policies and interventions in Guinea, along with regional and international comparisons.
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This paper uses a unique micro panel dataset of Brazilian students to investigate the impact of working while in school on learning outcomes. The potential endogeneity is addressed through the use of difference-in-difference and instrumental variable estimators.
... Voir la suite A negative effect of working on learning outcomes in math and Portuguese is found. The effects of child work range from 3 to 8 percent of a standard deviation decline in test score, which represents a loss of about a quarter to a half of a year of learning on average.
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Document de travail de recherche sur les politiques WPS6904 JUN 01, 2014
Emerson, Patrick M.; Ponczek, Vladimir; Portela Souza, Andre
The objective of the Early Childhood Development Education for Floating Villages Project for Cambodia is to improve access to quality Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) services through community and home-based programs for 0 to 5-year-olds, particularly for those from disadvantaged background, in the targeted areas.
... Voir la suite Negative impacts include: dust, air quality, water quality, waste management, asbestos management, and loss of ecology. Mitigation measures include: suppress dust during pneumatic drilling by ongoing water spraying and/or installing dust screen enclosures at site; during operations the engine covers of generators, air compressors and other powered mechanical equipment should be closed, and equipment placed as far away from residential areas as possible; mineral construction wastes will be separated from general refuse, organic, liquid and chemical wastes by on-site sorting and stored in appropriate containers; if the building is a designated historic structure, very close to such a structure, or located in a designated historic district, notify and obtain approval/permits from local authorities and relevant Ministries and address all construction activities in line with local and national legislation; and temporarily storage on site of all hazardous or toxic substances will be in safe containers labeled with details of composition, properties and handling information.
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This report presents a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of Bulgaria's workforce development (WfD) policies and institutions. The results are based on a new World Bank tool designed for this purpose, SABER-WfD.
... Voir la suite SABER-WfD is part of the World Bank's initiative on Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) whose aim is to provide systematic assessment and documentation of the policy and institutional factors that influence the performance of key areas of national education and training systems. The SABER-WfD tool encompasses initial, continuing and targeted vocational education and training that are offered through multiple channels and focuses largely on programs at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
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This report presents an analysis of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs and policies that affect young children in Yemen. This report is part of a series of reports prepared by the World Bank using the SABER-ECD framework and includes analysis of early learning, health, nutrition, and social and child protection policies and interventions in Yemen, along with regional and international comparisons.
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This is a statement by Mr. Anthony Lake, Executive Director at the eighty-ninth meeting of the Development Committee held on April 12, 2014. Five years after the global financial crisis, the economic outlook is brightening: growth is picking up in both developing countries and high-income economies.
... Voir la suite But inequalities and poverty persist in all countries. Over a billion people continue to live on less than $1.25 a day. Inequalities within and between countries are growing, thereby threatening economic development and poverty reduction efforts. Children are among the most vulnerable to the effects of poverty and inequalities. Investing in them in particular in the most vulnerable is a strategic way to build a brighter future for all, and for generations to come.
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Cash transfer programs are widely used in settings where child labor is prevalent. Although many of these programs are explicitly implemented to improve children's welfare, in theory their impact on child labor is undetermined.
... Voir la suite This paper systematically reviews the empirical evidence on the impact of cash transfers, conditional and unconditional, on child labor. The authors find no evidence that cash transfer interventions increase child labor in practice. On the contrary, there is broad evidence that conditional and unconditional cash transfers lower both children's participation in child labor and hours worked and cushion the effect of economic shocks that may lead households to use child labor as a coping strategy. Boys experience particularly strong decreases in economic activities, girls in household chores. The findings underline the usefulness of cash transfers as a relatively safe policy instrument to improve child welfare, but also point to knowledge gaps, for instance regarding the interplay between cash transfers and other interventions, that should be addressed in future evaluations to provide detailed policy advice.
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Document de travail de recherche sur les politiques WPS6826 MAR 01, 2014
Research from the United States shows that gaps in early cognitive and noncognitive abilities appear early in the life cycle. Little is known about this important question for developing countries.
... Voir la suite This paper provides new evidence of sharp differences in cognitive development by socioeconomic status in early childhood for five Latin American countries. To help with comparability, the paper uses the same measure of receptive language ability for all five countries. It finds important differences in development in early childhood across countries, and steep socioeconomic gradients within every country. For the three countries where panel data to follow children over time exists, there are few substantive changes in scores once children enter school. These results are robust to different ways of defining socioeconomic status, to different ways of standardizing outcomes, and to selective non-response on the measure of cognitive development.
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Document de travail de recherche sur les politiques WPS6779 FEB 01, 2014
This paper assesses whether the Indonesia Early Childhood Education and Development project had an impact on early achievement gaps as measured by an array of child development outcomes and enrollment.
... Voir la suite The analysis is based on longitudinal data collected in 2009 and 2010 on approximately 3,000 four-year-old children residing in 310 villages located in nine districts across Indonesia. The study begins by documenting the intent-to-treat impact of the project. It then compares the achievement gaps between richer and poorer children living in project villages with those of richer and poorer children living in non-project villages. There is clear evidence that in project villages, the achievement gap between richer and poorer children decreased on many dimensions. By contrast, in non-project villages, this gap either increased or stayed constant. Given Indonesia's interest in increasing access to early childhood services for all children, and the need to ensure more efficient spending on education, the paper discusses how three existing policies and programs could be leveraged to ensure that Indonesia's vision for holistic, integrated early childhood services becomes a reality. The lessons from Indonesia's experience apply more broadly to countries seeking to reduce early achievement gaps and expand access to pre-primary education.
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Document de travail de recherche sur les politiques WPS6794 FEB 01, 2014
This study explores the changing opportunities for children in Africa. While the definition of opportunities can be subjective and depend on the societal context, this report focuses on efforts to build future human capital, directly (through education and health investments) and indirectly (through complementary infrastructure such as safe water, adequate sanitation, electricity, and so on).
... Voir la suite It follows the practice of earlier studies conducted for the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region (Barros et al. 2009, 2012) where opportunities are basic goods and services that constitute investments in children. Although several opportunities are relevant at different stages of an individuals life, our focus on childrens access to education, health services, safe water, and adequate nutrition is due to the well-known fact that an individuals chance of success in life is deeply influenced by access to these goods and services early in life. Childrens access to these basic services improves the likelihood of a child being able to maximize his/her human potential and pursue a life of dignity.
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