Reaching the most vulnerable through cash programmes

It’s a busy day for more than 100 families in Haibung Village Development Committee. They are receiving their cash slips as part of the Conditional Cash Distribution program for vulnerable families.

From a female-headed household, Makhamali, age 51, is one of the mothers waiting in line. She has walked for nearly 2 hours to reach the distribution point to collect NPR 7,500 (about USD $70), which she needs to provide for her family’s basic needs.

“It is important to reach out to low-income families, those who are headed by people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers- these families need more time to recover from disasters.”

As part of the programme, enlisted beneficiaries attend trainings for 5 months, one each month. This month’s theme is about water, sanitation and hygiene and the topic of today’s training is proper handwashing and hygiene.

Stationed 1,500 metres above sea level, today’s makeshift classroom is a partially constructed building on the hill side. Classes can run several times a day depending on the number of community participants. The session is led by Shushmita, one of the cash field monitors, using government-approved information posters and pamphlets which they also distribute to participants.

Makhamali has just finished attending today’s training session and is quite satisfied with what she learned. “Keeping our hands clean keeps us healthy and safe. I learned that we have to be careful to wash our hands especially when preparing food,” Makhali shares. 

After attending the session, she has her Last Mile Mobile Solutions (LMMS) card scanned and verified as she receives her cheque. It took her less than 30 minutes from the end of the line to finish. “I will buy food supplies using the money. It’s good that I finished early so I still have time to walk home and cook dinner,” Makhamali added.

Kamran Said, World Vision’s Cash and Voucher Deputy Specialist shares, “It is important to reach out to low-income families, those who are headed by people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers — these families need more time to recover from disasters."

World Vision’s conditional cash transfer serves as a social protection and promotes inclusion for families who are earning less than NPR 7,500 a month. This can help support families whose vulnerabilities limit them from participating in cash-for-work programs.

In the coming months World Vision targeting to reach at least 12,500 earthquake-hit households in 5 of the worst-hit districts — Sindupalchok, Gorkha, Dhading, Nuwakot and Dolakha.