Definitions of social protection and of social safety nets abound. Here we draw on Norton et al. and refer to social protection as ‘the public actions taken in response to levels of vulnerability, risk and deprivation which are deemed socially unacceptable within a given polity or society. Social protection thus deals with both the absolute deprivation and vulnerabilities of the poorest, and also with the need of the currently non-poor for security in the face of shocks and life-cycle events. The ‘public’ character of this response may be governmental or non- governmental, or may involve a combination of institutions from both sectors’ (Norton et al., 2001).