Ehsaas cash program gains international praise

World Bank published a blog to praise the emergency cash program of Pakistan.

According to the details, the government of Pakistan initiated the emergency cash program for the needy people during this lockdown.

The statement said, “The unprecedented emergency posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) will have a devastating impact on the lives of the poor. Nearly 24 percent of Pakistan’s 210 million people are below the poverty line. The country requires a rapid response to protect its poor from becoming even worse off. ”

“the pandemic puts women, who are already disadvantaged in the labor force, at greater risk as they carry the invisible burden of caring for the sick, elderly, and children.  One of Pakistan’s initial measures, with support from the World Bank, was to expand its national safety net institution, the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), to direct additional support to its 4.5 million women beneficiaries,” the statement also said.

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Pakistan’s Cash Handout Program “Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program” has gained international praise

This initiative is providing financial assistance of 12K to poor families of Pakistan #PakFightsCoronaWithPMIK pic.twitter.com/oxrbHWt114

— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 2, 2020

The statement wrote, “This cash-transfer program is accessible through a free of charge SMS number (8171), which vulnerable people, such as daily wagers and piece rate workers, can use to lodge requests or check their eligibility. So far, it has received more than 46 million requests in a week and identified 7.3 million beneficiaries who will receive Rs 12,000 from a payment outlet after biometric verification.”

The cash transfers not only provide additional monetary support but also help to prevent the vulnerable from adopting negative coping strategies that impact health and education of the children.  

Also Read: PM gives approval to launch of Ehsaas Emergency Cash Information Portal