UNICEF Study: Gov't's Efforts Have been Effective in Curbing & Reducing Poverty

The latest study by UNICEF analyzes evert measures taken by the Georgian Government toward the population’s social assistance, and one of the most effective tools for poverty reduction—one reducing statistics to basic rates—lies in 200-GEL in assistance for children under 17. However, all previous measures are assessed also, and these assessments are quite positive, the Georgian Prime Minister’s Economic Advisor Beka Liluashvili stated after the presentation of the latest UNICEF study on the pandemic’s impact on poverty.

In his words, the foregoing means that a possible increase in poverty rates, as expected during the economic crisis, will be maximally kept in check through the measures implemented by the Government as one of the key priority objectives of the Government.

“Since the outbreak, our two key directions and concerns have been caring for our citizens and their health, to protect them from the serious problems related to economic crisis management, so that the state may maximally assist them. The key objective was to keep jobs and curbing the most negative impact of growing unemployment. The pandemic continues and, as a result, our country is still facing certain economic challenges. However, in various case-scenarios, including the worst one, the Government’s implemented measures, ultimately, have been quite effective in terms of reducing and keeping poverty in check,” Beka Liluashvili stated.

He noted that because each measure is structured so as to mitigate the short-term economic impact of the crisis, it only makes sense that these measures will have both short and long-term impacts on poverty and employment/unemployment.

“One of the key criteria underlining the effectiveness of the assistance for children lies in its comprehensive character targeting each child, which is exactly why it is one of the most effective measures. We have set priorities which, under the conditions of the pandemic, remain relevant and involve care for our citizens. If need be, we will implement additional measures to do everything to keep jobs, minimize the process of decreasing incomes, and assist our citizens,” he said.

Image: Beka Liluashvili