It’s a challenging task to deliver social assistance in an inclusive way. Countries need accurate and reliable information to make sure that they reach the people who need support. But how can the country with the world’s biggest population do this successfully?
Our principal management information systems specialist, Richard Chirchir, co-authored a recent research piece that recommends how China can bring together its multiple social assistance systems to build a digital and integrated information system. For more information, read the report published this month by UNICEF China: Global Review of Management Information System Practices: Lessons for China.
The report provides overviews of the MIS for minimum livelihood guarantee social assistance schemes (or Dibao) and the Household Income and Asset Verification System, and then reviews the design and use of Integrated Management Information Systems (IMIS) globally to identify lessons for China to develop an IMIS for its social assistance programmes.
The report is based on a desk review of China’s social assistance literature and broader international literature on IMIS, and on interviews with key informants, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, UNICEF and researchers with a deep understanding of China’s social assistance.
Find out more about our work on management information systems.