The federal government has released second tranche of relief to famine-stricken people of Thar District with Rs 354 million approximately, which is distributed among more than 53,000 victims, who are also beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
In order to support the famine-affected people of Thar, the federal government took the first step in announcing that the cash benefits would be distributed among the victim families. In order to ensure that the disbursements to the victims are objective, transparent and efficient, it was decided that the benefits would be paid to the eligible beneficiaries of BISP, identified on the basis of poverty survey and have also collected their Debit Cards. First tranche of Rs 6,400 per beneficiary was paid to more than 51,000 Thar beneficiaries in April 2014.
This amount was in addition to the Rs 3,600 quarterly payment per beneficiary, which means that the total disbursement was Rs 10,000 per beneficiary for Thar in the third quarter of FY 2013-14.
Once again, more than 51,000 beneficiaries of Thar have been paid an additional amount of Rs 6,400 per beneficiary, while the total disbursement for these beneficiaries in the fourth quarter of FY 2013-14 stands at Rs 10,000 per beneficiary.
Furthermore, through a rigorous beneficiary outreach campaign, 1997 beneficiaries of Thar district have been included in the cash transfer initiative of BISP since the release of previous tranche. These beneficiaries have been paid both installments amounting to Rs 12,800 per beneficiary, which is in addition to the quarterly cash grant of the BISP.
Moreover, BISP has also recently released the 4th Quarterly installment of the current FY and the beneficiaries of Thar beneficiaries will also receive the installment with the relief amount. The partner bank UBL has also been instructed to make special arrangements in the district for the delivery of payment so that the affected beneficiaries may receive their assistance in a convenient and respectful manner.
