Simulation Exercises: Shock Responsive Social Protection – Key insights from the first iteration

This document is about a Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) simulation exercise conducted in Anguilla in June 2024. It details key insights and lessons learned from this first iteration of the simulation, which was designed to improve disaster preparedness and response capabilities in the Caribbean.

Key points of the document include:

• The exercise promoted the integration of social protection systems and disaster risk management (DRM) responses during emergencies.
• It involved collaboration between organizations like UNICEF, CDEMA, and CashCap/NORCAP, alongside government officials from Anguilla.

The document highlights the importance of simulation exercises as tools to:

• Identify gaps in national emergency response systems.
• Test coordination between social protection and disaster management.
• Improve understanding of SRSP implementation.

It also emphasizes the role of a facilitation team composed of experts in DRM, SRSP, and Cash and Markets, showing how different expertise can enhance the simulation’s effectiveness.

The simulation used a pre- and post-shock lens to help participants better understand the steps and strategies necessary to respond to disasters.
Additionally, the document includes guidelines for planning similar simulations, designed to be adaptable for other countries and contexts, with plans to keep evolving based on ongoing experiences.

This report serves as a guide for other actors interested in adopting SRSP into their emergency management frameworks.