In line with its commitment to elevate underrepresented communities and drive transformative change, the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment’s Income Support Programme (ISP) is making notable progress in strengthening vulnerable families throughout Saint Lucia.
The ISP, part of the Safety Nets for Vulnerable Populations initiative, seeks to mitigate the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on individuals and families in the informal sector, while upholding a basic living standard.
During the fiscal year 2024/2025 budget presentation, Minister Joachim Henry highlighted the ISP’s consistency with the Ministry’s goals. He stated, “This Project steadfastly upholds the Ministry’s dedication to promoting equality and anti-discrimination, striving to include everyone and recognizing Social Protection as a fundamental human right.”
Minister Henry provided an update on the ISP’s achievements, announcing that nearly three-quarters of the project’s components are finished. He proudly shared that around 3,000 individuals from the informal sector, who had not benefited from previous support measures, have received a one-time payment of XCD$1,500.00.
The ISP is delivering essential financial support to 4,900 households through cash transfers to informal sector workers who have lost their jobs. This initiative is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and managed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).