Out of over 3,300 programs covered by World Bank, Ehsaas Program covered the fourth most people globally
World Bank (WB) ranked Ehsaas Emergency Cash program fourth in the world in terms of people covered under the program. The program rates third among all programs in terms of the population percentage covered. fm
A total of over 3,300 social protection programs run across 222 countries in the world were looking into between March 20, 2020, and May 14, 2021, before the detailed report was published.
The highest level of spending in lower-middle-income countries category is observed in Mongolia Zimbabwe, Bolivia, and Pakistan. These were out of a total of 734 cash-based programs, whether they were planned or implemented upon, in 186 countries.
A transparent program
The system did was free from any external influence as it was data-driven from end-to-end, with an automated, rule-based system. Payments were also biometrically verified to avoid tampering.
The Emergency Cash delivered cash stipends of Rs. 12,000 to 15 million households last year helping over 100 million people or nearly half the country’s population, representing the largest and most extensive social protection intervention ever in the history of the country.
PM Imran applauds efforts
Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Sr. Sania Nishter, the head of the program, and her team for the good work done over the last year and a half with Covid creating a lot of problems. Khan felt that the recognition is well deserved.
“Congratulations to Sania and the Ehsaas team for achieving this milestone and well-deserved international recognition,” tweeted the prime minister.
A great start
The program has helped a large number of people in the country in a desperate situation with everyone involved are due for applause. However, there is a need to continue and expand such programs in times to come. The economic impact of coronavirus is likely going to stay for years, even when it’s gone. The government and its welfare departments must be ready for that.