Why support services are needed

The family is the basic unit of society. It meets many of its members' needs, but it cannot give specialised services such as formal education and health care. So communities set up schools, hospitals, training centres and recreation centres.

Many families cannot meet their basic needs or use these services, mainly for lack of money. The book points to widespread poverty, poor sanitation, untrained birth attendants, low use of iodised salt, and discrimination against girls.

Some children, youth and elderly people are separated from their families and left to cope alone.

So the state and society must step in: they set up institutions and programmes, and support private and NGO efforts. Holistic programmes, which meet all needs together, have the best impact.

Vulnerable people are more likely to be hit by hard circumstances, and are harmed more when they are. Anyone whose needs are not met becomes vulnerable. Unmet needs make people vulnerable; society must help.