COVID-19: In Kaduna, 52,456 poor and vulnerable citizens benefit from a $20 million special response program
As many as 52,456 poor and vulnerable residents of Kaduna State are currently benefiting from the ongoing $20 million COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (KAD-CARES) program in the state.
KAD-CARES is an initiative of the World Bank aimed at alleviating the economic and social challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic in the 36 Nigerian States and FCTs in three thematic areas, namely; Social transfer, agricultural support and capacity building for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission Commissioner Hajiya Umma Yusuf Aboki said this Thursday in Kaduna during a media breakfast on increasing media awareness and involvement in Kad-Cares, organized by the State Planning and Budget Commission in collaboration with JALAD. Media concept.
She said: “There was a loan from the World Bank and the federal government with different criteria and outcome areas that states could choose from. We focus on social transfer to the poor through communities; agriculture to ensure food security; and capacity building for MSMEs.
Kaduna State Coordinator, KAD-CARES, Malam Badamasi Musa said, “This is a $750 million credit provided by the World Bank to 36 states and FCT, with each state receiving $20 million. of dollars. This is a two-year program that runs between December 2020 and June 2023.
“The program aimed to provide social transfer, monthly labour-intensive work for young people; support for agriculture, support for inputs, modernization of rural infrastructure and creation of access to agricultural sites; support MSMEs, service existing loans and IT support to MSMEs. »
He explained that the results are increased social transfers, basic services and livelihood support for poor and vulnerable households, increased food security and safe functioning of food supply chains, and recovery facilitation and capacity building for MSMEs.
He said grantees would cut across all three key result areas, especially those that have been affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Recipients should be extracted from state social registries, farmer registry and other state registries generated or constructed through a transparent and acceptable process in accordance with key performance indicators,” said the coordinator of the ‘State.