Government’s plans to conduct a Country Poverty Assessment (CPA)intensified today Tuesday, with a preparatory training session for the team which will guide the process.
TCIG will conduct the Country Poverty Assessment during the first quarter of 2012, in tandem with the national population census. It will be done with the assistance of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) The CPA’s overall objective is to assess the current conditions affecting the welfare of people, and identify policies, strategies, action programmes and projects that would reduce the extent and severity of poverty in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The assessment would emphasise analyses of the poverty situation for men, women, youth and children, the processes that generate and maintain conditions conducive to poverty, existing responses to the poverty situation and the means available for more vigorous and effective actions to reduce poverty. It would also include a baseline assessment of the current status in the attainment of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with respect to national and Caribbean-specific targets and indicators. It is intended to be used by the Government and development organisations to enhance social development and improve
overall quality of life in the Turks and Caicos Islands for all social groups.
CDB has provided a team of consultants to lead the process and give the necessary technical assistance needed for the project to be successful.
Also because of the importance of this exercise, the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (GOTCI) has appointed a National Assessment Team
(NAT) to provide the local implementation guidance and support during the conduct of the CPA.
The NAT comprises a core of persons from Government agencies responsible for statistics and social and economic policy, including the Statistics Department and Ministries with responsibility for Social Development, Education, Health, and Economic Development; Non-Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations, and the private sector. They will undertake the assessment, monitor poverty indicators and execute future CPAs. Other persons will also be co-opted by the core members to complement the membership on the NAT. The NAT will also establish sub-committees to advise it, and to take action on its behalf on special
matters pertaining to the CPA.
