To be formally launched on February 21 this month in south Punjab by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Ehsaas Amdan Programme will provide 200,000 assets to the deserving household (60 per cent women and 30 per cent youth beneficiaries) impacting the lives of 1.4 million people.
With the total budget of Rs15 billion, the Ehsaas Amdan Programme is one of several programmes under the Ehsaas umbrella. Its objective is to create livelihood opportunities for those that are most disadvantages. The programme implementation has begun in January 2020. It is a four-year programme ending in 2023.
The Ehsaas Amdan Programme involves giving away of small assets to those who live below the poverty line so that they can earn a living and can come out of the shackles of poverty.
Assets include livestock (goats, cows, buffaloes, poultry), agriculture inputs, Qingqi rickshaw, and inputs for small retail outlets and small enterprises.
Dr Sania informed the media persons that the programme is commencing in 375 rural union councils in 23 of the poorest districts across the four provinces of Pakistan.
Dr Sania said that the program focuses largely upon Ehsaas Kafalat households through poverty scorecard ranking and community driven validation process. The identified households are further supported through asset transfers or vocational trainings, interest free loans. 221,926 interest free loans will be provided out of which approximately 50 per cent of loans will be to households who have received assets under this programme (110,726 households). She said that the scale of the programme will be enhanced based on results.
