HARARE AIDS orphans and other vulnerable groups will benefit from a $20 cash transfer being introduced by the government with help from UNICEF.
A pilot scheme has been carried out in Manicaland targeting AIDS orphans. Peter Salama, UNICEF country representative, said: The small grant can make a difference for children in helping them go to school and access health. The money can prevent early marriages and migrations to foreign countries.”
The pilot programme has showed that the small amount of money helps children to get birth certificates and full vaccinations. Before the economic meltdown vulnerable children used to get a monthly allowance from the government which was abandoned.
The $20 allowance is expected to help thousands of Zimbabweans. Between 220,000 and 250,000 rural households in Zimbabwe live in extreme poverty and include between 620 000 and 700 000 vulnerable children. It is estimated that at least 1.3 children in Zimbabwe have been orphaned by HIV and AIDS.
Post published in: News