Pakistan: reaching the poorest through cash transfers
UK support to Pakistan바카라 사이트檚 national safety net initiative provides income support to those most in need.
Sakina receives a monthly cash grant on her debit card provided under Pakistan바카라 사이트檚 national Income Support Programme (BISP) which makes it possible her to buy food for her family. Picture: World Bank
Noor Bhari, 54, lives in a small village in Hyderabad. The hut in which she lives has a damaged roof and houses 2 families with 11 children. Noor Bhari바카라 사이트檚 daughter-in-law Sakina also lives with her.
바카라 사이트淏efore, there was nothing to eat, not even good water to drink,바카라 사이트� says Sakina, whose husband struggles to find work as a field labourer.
Now, the debit cards provided under Pakistan바카라 사이트檚 national Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) have made it possible for them to buy food most days.
바카라 사이트淭丑别 BISP card prevents us from going days without food. We manage to get the basic necessities and feed the children,바카라 사이트� says Noor Bhari.
The UK supports BISP, which provides women in the poorest households small monthly cash grants of 1,000 rupees (approx. 拢7) to buy essentials, such as food and medicine, and to help send their children to school. Mothers receiving these grants can get an additional 1,200 rupees for each child (up to 3) in primary school.
바카라 사이트淭丑别 BISP card prevents us from going days without food", says Noor Bhari, 54, as she proudly displays her debit card provided under Pakistan바카라 사이트檚 national income support programme. Picture: World Bank
Last year UK support to BISP led to cash support for over 235,000 families across Pakistan, which could potentially increase to 441,000 families by 2020. The money helps address poverty, inequality, and lack of education, which if not addressed can lead to instability.
BISP rolled out payments through debit cards to eligible families after a successful test phase last year. The 바카라 사이트淏enazir debit cards바카라 사이트� ensure that beneficiaries receive payments directly and eliminate the need for intermediaries. Previously, beneficiaries received cash payments through Pakistan Post money orders. However, some of the recipient families were not receiving the full amount as certain mail carriers demanded bribes for delivering the money, says Hyderabad바카라 사이트檚 BISP director, Abdul Majeed Soomro.
바카라 사이트淲e were hearing stories about postmen demanding partial payments, so the debit cards are a better way to ensure all the money efficiently and transparently reaches those who need it,바카라 사이트� says Soomro.
Currently 70% of beneficiaries receive payments through technology-based payments which has led to the gradual decrease of the Pakistan Post money order payments.
Stats and facts
BISP provides direct financial assistance to poor families through monthly cash payments to buy essential household items such as food and medicine, and to send children to school.
A female representative of the family receives these cash transfers directly on the BISP debit card, helping them to participate in domestic decision-making.
Payments are currently being made to 4.7 million families (benefiting 28.2 million individuals).
The introduction of the BISP debit card has helped the cash payments reach the poorest and most vulnerable.