The Role of Safety Nets during the Process of Economic Growth: Discussion

What should governments and donors be trying to accomplish with resources devoted to safety nets? Safety nets are programs that protect peoples' livelihood in the face of transitory or chronic poverty (e.g., direct food distribution, food-for-work, and cash-for-work). In recent years, there have been greater attempts to "link relief to development" by creating investments that support long-run growth in the process of providing a safety net to the poor in the short run.