On December 10, 2025, the Global Poverty Reduction Partnership Seminar was held in Beijing under the theme "Strengthening Partnerships to Address Poverty Challenges." The event unveiled the sixth edition of the "Global Poverty Reduction Case Collection Initiative," jointly launched by seven organizations including the China International Poverty Reduction Center, the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the China Internet Information Center. Among the selected cases, Waterdrop Inc.'s collaborative project—*Digital Medical Insurance Poverty Prevention in Jinyun: The Innovative "Jinqing Assistance" Model*—was recognized as a global best practice, marking international acknowledgment of China’s county-level medical insurance poverty prevention efforts.
The "Global Poverty Reduction Case Collection Initiative" invites outstanding poverty alleviation cases from organizations and individuals worldwide, aiming to share successful practices through publications, visual videos, and infographics. Since its launch in 2018, the initiative has collected over 4,500 cases, with 637 recommended across 88 countries and regions, garnering widespread attention.
Carlos, FAO Representative in China, highlighted the initiative’s role as a global public good, showcasing real-world solutions for policymakers and practitioners. These cases, ranging from community-led development to digital services and climate-smart villages, demonstrate innovation and resilience in tackling poverty.
As a mountainous county in southwestern Zhejiang, Jinyun previously struggled with insufficient social assistance resources and poverty caused by illness. In 2021, Waterdrop Inc. partnered with local authorities to launch the "Jinqing Assistance" project, targeting two vulnerable groups: those impoverished by medical expenses and those at risk due to high out-of-pocket costs. The model employs smart risk identification, multi-department coordination, and social participation to rebuild beneficiaries’ livelihoods.
The program shifts from passive relief to proactive prevention by identifying high medical spenders through a closed-loop process ("detect-identify-refer-resolve"). Beyond basic medical insurance, it integrates government aid, charitable donations, and Waterdrop’s crowdfunding to create a multi-layered support system. To enhance accessibility, Waterdrop and Jinyun’s medical insurance bureau established seven "Jinqing Assistance" stations in local hospitals, helping families submit aid applications on-site.
A beneficiary, Ms. Xiang, a music streamer and piano tutor, faced financial ruin after aplastic anemia treatment cost her family RMB 540,000. "Jinqing Assistance" identified her high expenses and secured over RMB 200,000 in aid, covering post-insurance liabilities. By November 2025, the program had monitored 100% of Jinyun’s medical cases, screened 10.2 million instances, assisted 720 individuals with RMB 16.22 million (including RMB 14.04 million crowdfunded), reducing out-of-pocket costs by 16.14% and boosting coverage by 15%.
Waterdrop plans to expand the "Jinqing Assistance" model nationwide, leveraging digital solutions to benefit more families. The project, previously awarded in Zhejiang’s Digital Society Awards and the National Smart Medical Insurance Competition, is now featured in the *2025 Global Poverty Reduction Case Collection*, offering insights for developing countries crafting localized anti-poverty policies.
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