ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar has said that centres have been set up for disbursement of cash subsistence to the families affected by the recent earthquake in Harnai district of Balochistan.

       “Ehsaas is all set to disburse Rs12,000 each cash subsistence to all families of earthquake-hit Harnai, as an immediate relief. All necessary preparations are complete for this purpose,” she told reporters here on Thursday.

       She said the one-off payments would be made to eligible families through biometrically-enabled Ehsaas payment system.

       Dr Nishtar appreciated the cooperation and support extended by the Balochistan government, armed forces, other stakeholders and Ehsaas team in the province to complete arrangements for disbursement of Ehsaas cash.

       The special assistant said that immediately after the earthquake she visited Harnai to assess the level of support needed from the federal government on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

       Dr Nishtar said she met different stakeholders and made full assessment of the situation and then, after the PM’s approval, announced the federal government’s relief package for all the affected families.

       Under Ehsaas shock-responsive registry, desks have also been opened in the affected areas of Harnai to register the deserving households for financial assistance through the social safety net.

       Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2021