This article provides an overview of a pilot scheme by UNICEF and the Government of Malawi involving monthly cash transfers to poorest targeted families. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, and this program was designed to provide assistance directly to families in need. The goal was to reduce poverty and hunger while also increasing education, health, protection, and well-being of orphaned and other children.
Monthly cash payments were given to families, with bonuses given for children enrolled in primary or secondary school. The hope is that by helping the children to grow up healthy and educated, they will be in a better position to break the cycle of poverty. By the time this article was completed, the initial evaluation showed over 7,400 children had benefited from the program. The plan is to expand the program to more districts and more families in the next phase.
The website for this program is http://www.socialcashtransfers-malawi.org.
©UNICEF
