A/64/279 durable results, beyond reaffirming political will to rescue economies, the international community must focus on the urgent need to protect the enjoyment of human rights by those who continue to suffer the most acute consequences of the economic crisis, in particular those living in poverty. 106. Social protection systems hold the potential to address the effects of the crisis and reduce vulnerability to future shocks. However, long-term strategies to protect people in the future have thus far been largely ignored by the international community. Even if there is momentum in favour of the expansion of social protection schemes around the world as a response to this crisis, only 5 per cent of the $1 trillion global stimulus package created by the G-20 in April 2009 has been allocated to supporting social protection schemes, boosting trade and safeguarding development in low-income countries, and only a small portion of that will effectively be allocated to social protection. 107. Some of the measures taken in response to the crisis tend to overemphasize the mitigation of the immediate short-term impact of the crisis and overlook the structural constraints that keep significant portions of the population living in extreme poverty well beyond periods of economic turbulence. The human rights framework requires that States adopt a more systematic strategy that focuses on long-term protection of the human rights of the poor. 108. Even when acknowledging the need to invest in social protection, States are often unwilling to recognize these initiatives as part of the fulfilment of their long-standing human rights obligations. States should avoid the risk of seeking short-term quick fixes to poverty and insecurity while neglecting longer-term measures rooted in the recognition of their duty to ensure universal access to social protection at all times. 109. Irrespective of crises, social protection systems are necessary to effectively fulfil long-standing commitments to reduce poverty and protect, respect and fulfil human rights. The World Solidarity Fund or the Rapid Social Response Fund under the new Vulnerability Financing Facility endorsed by the G-20 could be used as a vehicle for such a shift if a solid human rights-based approach guides these initiatives. Social protection is required in order to ensure the realization of all human rights for all, in particular for those who are most vulnerable, marginalized and living a life of misery, and are trapped in poverty and subject to multiple forms of discrimination. 110. In this sense, the independent expert wishes to present the following recommendations: (a) Strengthening national social protection systems by adopting a human rights-based approach: (i) States must put in place social protection systems or enhance support to existing systems. Human rights standards provide an adequate basis to frame social protection systems legally and institutionally. Particular attention must be given to social protection by economic stimulus packages; this is a requirement based in international human rights law; (b) Working towards universal coverage and prioritizing the most vulnerable: 09-45276 23