Effective social protection is vital to help chronically poor people and countries build assets, increase their capacity to withstand shocks and stresses, and thus escape from poverty; without it, they will continue to be trapped in poverty.Key elements of an effective ‘social protection package’ for chronically poor people are: a core of broad measures to enhance incomes, assets and security and increase access to services, and specific measures, such as nutritional support targeted at particular groups. Wider complementary policies promoting economic opportunities and political and social rights are also essential.