The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, in collaboration with the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), on Saturday, 28th September, 2024, commenced a cash transfer exercise targeting 13,091 vulnerable aged individuals across 10 districts in Sierra Leone.
This exercise, supported by the World Bank, under Component One of its Productive Social Safety Net for Youth Employment (PSSNYE) Project, aims to alleviate poverty and provide social protection to senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
The nationwide exercise, which spans Bo, Bombali, Kambia, and other districts, uses mobile money services facilitated by Orange to deliver payments directly to the beneficiaries. Each recipient will receive a one-time cash transfer of NLe1,018, with provisions for cash-out fees. The use of digital payment methods ensures transparency and reduces the risk of mismanagement.
Orange Mobile Money, as the Payment Service Provider (PSP), plays a crucial role in the distribution process, while the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) oversees the operation to prevent fraud and address grievances.
This cash transfer exercise follows the successful completion of a digitized registration, verification, and enrolment process carried out by the Ministry and NaCSA a few weeks ago.
Over the next two weeks, teams will carry out the cash transfer in all 10 districts, providing crucial financial support to those most in need.
This effort aligns with the government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) and President Bio’s broader agenda for poverty alleviation, demonstrating a commitment to reducing the financial burden on the country’s vulnerable populations.
By focusing on the aged population, this initiative not only enhances financial security but also strengthens the country’s social safety nets, contributing to broader efforts to uplift the most disadvantaged members of society.
Credit: Information Unit, Miinistry of Labour