ISLAMABAD: The Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division has claimed to have supported and provided financial assistance to as many as 15 million families — 100m people — during the Covid-19 outbreak.

In a three-year performance report released on Thursday, it has been stated that the social protection programme ‘Ehsaas’ has utilised 100 per cent of its budget during this period. Ehsaas Emergency Cash was the third largest and fastest programme all over the world, the report claims.

“As many as 12m families will get cash grants this year,” said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar.

Under the umbrella of Ehsaas, national Ehsaas survey has been completed after a period of 10 years, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the report said. Budget for social protection has been doubled compared to any past government.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2021