MR Microinsurance_2012_03_29.indd - International Labour ...

32 Emerging issues
Figure 1.4 International Microinsurance Conference attendance
Participants
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
89
2005
Germany
156
2006
South Africa
Source: Munich Re Foundation, 2011.
195
2007
India
454 440
2008
Colombia
Th e Microinsurance Network: Although the Network is an organization and
not a type of enabler, it is mentioned specifi cally because it plays a unique global
role in the sector, raising awareness of the potential of microinsurance, and facilitating
dialogue among practitioners and other stakeholders. Th rough events,
publications and electronic media, the Network contributes to improved coordination
among various agencies working on microinsurance, enabling limited
resources to be used more effi ciently. Th e formalization of the Network in 2008,
evolving out of its previous incarnation as the CGAP Working Group on Microinsurance,
refl ects the changing dynamics in the sector.
To summarize, microinsurance is reaping the benefi ts of the involvement and
commitment of a host of enablers whose fi nancial and technical resources have
contributed signifi cantly to improving outreach and eff ectiveness to protect the
poor from fi nancial losses due to risks.
1.4 Providers are off ering an expanding and varied range of products
Th e fi rst volume of Protecting the poor only covered life and health products.
Th ese were the most common products available to low-income households and
demand studies suggested that they covered the priority risks of the poor. However,
risk covers for low-income persons have changed signifi cantly in recent
years. In this fourth trend, the microinsurance community has seen life and
health products improving while experimenting with a broader array of covers,
including more voluntary products. Th is trend is largely intended to respond to
378
2009
Senegal
520
2010
Philippines
2011
Brazil