Can their families or charities not support vulnerable people?
Families used to help other family members when in need. However, Asia is modernizing fast. Modernization has been accompanied by a process of social mobility, migration, urbanization, and disintegration of family and community networks. Household, informal safety nets are no longer adequate. Modernization requires the provision of social protection systems for the workforce to ensure higher productivity gains, increased domestic demand, and economic growth. Vulnerable groups cannot be supported by charities alone — their contribution is essential but not sufficient. Most of the risks that the poor and vulnerable suffer can be easily corrected or mitigated by public action, combining the efforts of government policies, development agencies, NGOs, and private sector. The 21st century has begun with profound changes. Globalization is shifting trade, capital, technology, and information flows, changing values and social structures. The increased opportunities resulting from access to new
