The Disaster Preparedness Cash Transfer Pilot Report 2022-2024 has been released.
The report revealed that that Large Cash Transfer offer an immediate and transformative solution during disaster crisis. In the case of Uganda, Large cash Transfer to families at imminent risk of being displaced by landslides, provide means to meet urgent needs for example, the purchase of much needed assets like land and ability to settle in a place where they face lower risks of flooding or other natural hazards.
The report further revealed that Landslides and flooding in East Uganda have increased dramatically over recent years, posing a high risk to already vulnerable populations, threatening livelihoods, food, and income security.
Over a protracted period, Floods in Mt. Elgon region have damaged public services and facilities, disrupted education, led to malnutrition and poverty, and displaced thousands of residents, with 3620 families displaced in Eastern Uganda in 2021 alone. As people are forced to flee their homes with only the bare essentials, separated from their assets, livelihoods and networks, their ability to meet basic needs or earn a living is severely compromised.
The disaster preparedness cash transfer pilot project report by Give Directly , an international NGO that give directly cash relief was launched today 8, November 2024 by Minister for Local Government who represented Rt. Honorable prime minister, Robina Nabanja.
GiveDirectly’s cash relief program aimed to support approximately 4000 households living in high – risk areas of Bududa, Sironko, Namisindwa, and Manafwa through delivery of Uganda shillings 7000,000 per household .
The reports revealed that Give Directly delivered the unconditional cash transfer via MTN mobile money and Airtel money in 2 monthly instalments. “At the end of the program, we were able to achieve 85% efficiency, implemented with 85% of our allocated funding going directly into the hands of recipients,’’ said Ivan Ntwali, Country Director.
He added that “This being a pilot project implemented closely in partnership with the government of Uganda which would later on provide a top-up of Uganda shillings 10,000,000 to each Give Directly beneficiary
Government has continued to warn local government officials against corruption and abuse of office while implementing Parish Model programs (PDM).
The Minister for Local Government Raphael Magyezi while officiating at the handover of the Disaster Cash Program pilot report to the government cited cases of PDM beneficiaries receiving less than the set 1 million shillings per head.
He said some sections of the people whom the government trusted to send the Money to the targeted beneficiaries get secret PIN codes of the beneficiaries and deduct some money from them in the process. He says this should stop with immediate effect, or else they will get arrested.
The Disaster Cash Program pilot report handed over to the government by the international NGO, Give Directly indicates that At least 4,000 households in the eastern Elgon sub-region have received shs. 7 million in cash each from the said international NGO in question, to facilitate their relocation away from disaster-prone areas.
Launched on 26, August 2022, the disaster preparedness Cash Transfer pilot program by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the USD 8.5 million project has enabled recipients to restart their lives in a new location where they do not face the threat of being repeatedly affected by the landslides or floods.
On average 50 by 50 feet of land in the safe areas of Elgon region cost Uganda shillings between 2.5m and 5million, while the construction of simple three-room family house would cost approximately Uganda shillings 1.5million to 2.5million.
For a successful relocation, the report found the each household would need at least Uganda shillings 7 million to obtain land, construct a basic house and jumpstart their livelihoods.
While officiating at the Give Directly Elgon, cash transfer program, report, handover, Minister Raphael Magyezi warned local government officials against corruption and abuse of office while implementing Parish Model programs (PDM). Minister cited cases of PDM beneficiaries receiving less than the limit of 1 million shillings per head.
He said that “some sections of the people whom the government trusted to send the Money to the targeted beneficiaries get secret PIN codes of the beneficiaries and deduct some money from them in the process. This should stop with immediate effect, or else they will get arrested,”
“I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for the invaluable contributions made by Give Directly through the refugee cash transfer programs from 2019 to 2024 and recently, the supports our disaster preparedness efforts. Over the past 10 years, Give Directly has served over 70,000 families in Uganda, disbursing more than USD, 74 million through direct cash transfers via mobile money, your commitment to empower the most vulnerable families in Uganda is commendable,’’ Prime minister Nabbanja state in her remarks delivered by Minister Magyezi.
She said that “We have seen a significant transformation in lives of our people and families. The Elgon cash transfer program, launched under the oversight of the Office of the Prime Minister, has played a crucial role in enabling recipients to restart their lives away from threats posed by landslides and flooding. With the budget of United States Dollars 8.5 million, this initiative has directly supported nearly 4000 families, allowing them to purchase land, build homes and invest in their livelihood.
I am informed that as of May 2024, Give Directly completed payments of 3760 households at risk in the districts of Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko and Namisindwa.’’
“I wish to draw attention to the plight of 163 displaced households who have suffered due to the recent natural disaster in the Rwenzori region, these families are in urgent need of assistance. I therefore call upon Give Directly, to come again and partner with the government to extend support to these families. Government of Uganda reaffirms the commitment to support the vulnerable and to work hand in hand with organizations like yours, directly, which are dedicated to creating transformative change in our communities.” She said.
