U.S. Provides Rs. 7.2 Billion For Low-Income Families

U.S. Coordinator for Civilian Assistance Ambassador Robin L. Raphel and the Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Program Farzana Raja, publicly announced that the Government of Pakistan received the U.S. Government’s contribution of $85 million.

600,000 Families Receive Benefits Through Benazir Income Support Program

March 04, 2010

Islamabad - In a ceremony held today, the U.S. Coordinator for Civilian Assistance Ambassador Robin L. Raphel joined the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Chairperson Farzana Raja to announce Rs. 7.2 billion ($85 million) in assistance from the United States to low-income Pakistani families through the BISP program.

"The United States is pleased to contribute to the Benazir Income Support Program, which helps low-income families meet their everyday needs," Ambassador Raphel said at the ceremony.  "The program also provides direct assistance to women, which empowers them economically and encourages them to seek national identity cards crucial for them to access their rights as citizens."

Initiated in 2008, the BISP program offsets the impact of inflation in the poorer sections of Pakistani society.  Through bi-monthly cash payments of 2,000 rupees, approximately 600,000 eligible families across Pakistan will receive assistance due to USAID's contribution to BISP. BISP seeks to assist approximately 15 percent of the Pakistani population, including 40 percent of those living below the poverty line.

"We are very thankful to the U.S. Government for giving us this financial support through USAID.  We will provide this cash income through the government of Pakistan to support lower income families in Pakistan," said Chairperson Raja.  "Thank you also Ambassador Raphel for your hard work in Pakistan, not only in BISP, but also in areas such as health and education."