The US government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will contribute $7 million. USAID Mission Director Julie Koenen and ADB Country Director Yong Ye attended a signing MOU ceremony held in this regard.
The grants will be equally distributed through the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme which will be managed by the Benazir Income Support Programme. USAID’s funds will also provide administrative support along with technical support to ensure the effectiveness and transparency for the program beneficiaries.
Ms. Koenen stated that fighting the pandemic would take significant resources and effort among governments, civil society, the private sector, and other international partners. “This contribution to ADB will support the government of Pakistan’s efforts to implement the Ehsaas Programme through the provision of direct cash grants to underprivileged Pakistani families affected by closures and work stoppages during the Covid-19 pandemic,” she added.
