Social protection in the COVID-19 era: What can the evidence tell us?

On Wednesday, June 24, J-PAL affiliates Rema Hanna and Benjamin Olken shared learning from evidence laying for social protection systems to adequately respond to the COVID-19 context at an online event hosted by the World Bank. Led by opening remarks from Michael Rutkowski (Global Director, Social Protection & Jobs GP) and moderated by Roberta Gatti (Chief Economist, Human Development),  the discussion was centered on four key areas where lessons from randomized evaluations could be incorporated into program design responding to COVID-19 challenges: financing, safety nets and targeting, conditionality, and delivery and digitalization of social protection programs.