Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox has emphasised that the COVID-19 pandemic transformed this country’s approach to social protection, driving reforms that make support systems more resilient and adaptable than ever before.
“COVID-19 was a wake-up call,” Cox said at the XI Ministerial Forum for Development in Latin America and the Caribbean in Barbados last week.
“It forced us to rethink our entire social safety net to ensure no one is left behind, especially in times of crisis.”
Minister Cox detailed how Trinidad and Tobago ramped up its support for the vulnerable, not only by increasing the scope of existing programmes but by boosting grant amounts in response to the pandemic’s economic impact.
“We expanded and strengthened our programmes because people’s lives depended on it,” she explained, underscoring the Government’s commitment to prioritising citizens’ needs amid future challenges.
The Social Protection Ecosystem in T&T now includes 13 government ministries and 120 programmes, each aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the country’s Vision 2030, she said. This system, Cox noted, ensures rapid assistance to vulnerable groups through partnerships with NGOs and government agencies.
“Our approach has become multi-pronged and deeply collaborative, allowing us to deliver targeted support to those who need it most,” she stated.
Looking to the future, Cox highlighted several digital advancements to transform social services in T&T. “We’re talking about real-time support, with initiatives like the Social Indicator Registry and National Electronic ID,” she said.
“With the Social Services Management System and Digital Wallet, we’ll be able to deliver aid faster, more transparently, and more efficiently than ever.”
She called these tools “a leap forward” in the Government’s mission to modernise social support systems, enabling instant data access and timely responses to crises. Temporary grants for disaster relief, flood aid for farmers, income support, and emergency loans for small businesses are now key components of Government’s disaster readiness, she said.
Cox also emphasised the importance of regional collaboration, urging leaders across Latin America and the Caribbean to share best practices for reducing poverty and building resilience.
“In times of global uncertainty, we must support each other. Stronger partnerships mean stronger nations,” she said.
— Rhondor Dowlat
