ISLAMABAD: The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has launched a cash assistance programme to provide financial support to vulnerable households in Tharparkar, Umerkot and Dadu.

The programme, aimed to help them cope with adverse climatic conditions and protect their livestock, was launched in response to the long drought, rising temperatures and the impact of El Nino on agricultural communities in the three districts of Sindh.

The FAO handed out cash in two instalments to 2,836 beneficiaries across the three districts.

A total of 1,836 households received Rs40,000 each, while 1,000 subsistence herder households received Rs50000 each. This amount included an additional Rs10000 as animal feed subsidy.

The cash assistance served dual purposes: it provided immediate relief to help beneficiaries meet their essential needs and mitigated the impact of severe dry periods and high temperatures on their livelihood.

Through this two-tranche cash distribution programme, The FAO reinforced its commitment to bolstering the resilience of agricultural communities facing climate-related challenges. The UN body received support from the European Union’s directorate for humanitarian aid operations.

This financial assistance not only addressed immediate needs but also supported the long-term sustainability of livestock-based livelihoods, which are vital to the economic well-being of these communities.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024