The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has reopened registration for its social protection programmes as part of efforts to strengthen assistance and ensure support reaches eligible recipients in the most appropriate manner.
Under the general regulation governing social protection, NSPA provides eligible recipients with assistance every month for a period of two years.
NSPA said people who had registered for assistance by the end of November 2024 and continue to receive support must submit a form by the end of November if they wish to continue receiving assistance. Those who do not submit the form within that period will only be able to continue receiving support by submitting a new application, subject to the criteria used to determine eligibility for assistance.
The programmes provide financial assistance to single mothers or fathers living in poverty who care for their children. Financial assistance is also available to children living in poverty who lack parental support and are under the care of others, as well as their caregivers.
NSPA also provides financial assistance to people living in poverty to purchase food.
Statistics show NSPA provided more than USD 1.1 million in assistance last month to single mothers or fathers living in poverty who care for their children. A total of 3,313 mothers or fathers received assistance, covering 5,687 children.
During the same month, 112 people registered for assistance, while 207 children were also newly registered.
NSPA also provided assistance last month to 98 caregivers supporting children living in poverty who are cared for by someone other than their parents without parental support. The assistance covered 132 children, with NSPA spending USD 11,738 under this category.
In addition, NSPA provided financial assistance to 659 people living in poverty to purchase food last month, spending USD 1,709 on the assistance.