More than Rs 96 billion have been distributed among over 7.9 million families under the ongoing Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme that aims to provide Rs 12,000 each to 12 million deserving families whose livelihoods are adversely affected with the outbreak of coronavirus across Pakistan.

According to the data issued by Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Rs 96.4916 billion were distributed till Wednesday morning among 7,918,457 deserving beneficiaries under Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme.

The break-up of the funds distribution suggests, Rs 41.1917 billion have been distributed among 3,385,885 beneficiaries in Punjab, Rs 30.2023 billion among 2,499,374 beneficiaries in Sindh, Rs 17.9739 billion among 1,455,465 beneficiaries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs 4.4935 billion among 367,402 families in Balochistan, Rs 1.5914 billion among 127,467 beneficiaries in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Rs 0.6668 billion among 52,247 beneficiaries in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Rs 0.3719 have been distributed among 30,617 beneficiaries in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

Under category-I of Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, Rs 54.5440 billion were distributed since April 9 among 4,422,824 beneficiaries of Kifaalat Programme. Under category-II, Rs 36.1444 billion have been distributed among 3,012,033 beneficiaries identified through Short Messaging Service (SMS). Under Category III Rs 5.8032 billion have been distributed among 483,600 beneficiaries identified through district administrations concerned. The distribution of cash under category II and III is ongoing.

The federal cabinet has earmarked Rs200 billion to financially support the deserving population affected by lockdown measures taken by the federal government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Out of these funds, Rs144 billion are being spent to provide Rs12,000 each to 12 million families under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme. Each family eligible for financial assistance under this programme would be provided at once Rs12,000 on the basis of four-monthly assistance of Rs3,000 per month.