From Poverty to Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability: Beyond Conventional Approaches to Poverty Alleviation

Successive governments in Sri Lanka have implemented poverty alleviation programs over the last four decades with limited success in combatting poverty. While there are many factors that contributed to this situation, one factor that stands out is the narrow scope of such interventions. In other words, these programs have largely concentrated on providing income support to families and individuals falling below the national poverty line. On the other hand, the poor suffer not just from low income but also from a range of other deprivations and risks. A recent report co-authored by me with another colleague and published by UNDP on Multidimensional Vulnerability in Sri Lanka identified key sources of vulnerability (UNDP, 2023). It is based on a national household survey conducted in 2022-23. The data shows that a large proportion of the population is multidimensionally vulnerable. Moreover, it shows that the poor are not just falling below the poverty line but are exposed to many risks and vulnerabilities in other areas such as education, health, employment, exposure to frequent disasters, living conditions, conflicts and indebtedness. This situation not only makes it difficult for the poor to move out of poverty despite having access to income support but many others also run the risk of falling into poverty in a rapidly changing environment influenced by such factors as climate change, frequent natural disasters, displacement and labor migration. Moreover, incidence of poverty varies in line with rural- urban and regional socio-economic disparities. These findings show the need to move away from conventional poverty alleviation strategies in favor of multi-sectoral action involving all relevant sectoral agencies working in concert. What is equally important is the establishment of a community-based monitoring and intervention system to facilitate equitable and timely interventions.