A comprehensive social welfare framework can greatly strengthen the impact of emergency response measures and programs that were intended to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable households. As intended, the program helped to successfully mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on citizens and businesses. It was aligned with ADB's Strategy 2030 and the Pacific Approach. A major positive impact was that the program prompted the government to review its existing social protection mechanisms and develop a social protection framework to guide its future programs. This framework is being supported under subsequent program-based grant operations by ADB, the World Bank, Australia, and New Zealand, collectively referred to as the Joint Policy Action Matrix (JPAM) partners.
Health Expenditure and Livelihoods Support Program