Cash transfers in Nairobi’s slums: video
In some of Kenya’s poorest slums, Concern is providing emergency assistance by distributing cash using mobile phones. So far, this has proven to be extremely successful.
Concern has been distributing cash to 7,000 people in the Korogocho and Kibera slums. Each will receive the equivalent of 15 euro a month for eight months. The money can then be spent on food, education and hospital fees.
Why distribute cash?
In the past, it has been normal for aid agencies to distribute food to people in urgent need of help. Anne O’Mahony, Concern’s country director in Kenya, gives the reasons for distributing cash instead of food.
The market stalls in Kenya’s slums, Anne explains, are run by the poor people themselves. As a result, distributing cash has a double impact:
First of all, you can target the poor people with the cash. You’re also enabling the market sellers to earn and generate an income.
If we were to bring in food we would undermine the markets and probably create more poverty as a result.
Comments
I am a firm believer on saving lives and building a better tommorow. I been thinking about giving toward the foundation altough I haven't been able to.
Cash transfers in an area like slum if well targeted would contribute to rural growth since these slum dwellers will spend a larger part of this transfer on food produced from rural areas, without trade distortions However this cash trasnfer voucher system could further be made beneficial to the wide community if used to build community assets like water, roads etc.
Good approach that does not distort the food market.
We've had success with cash transfers elsewhere as well. Besides Kenya, they have also worked in Malawi. This blog post explains more, and includes a couple of videos - one from each country.
dont u think that when we distribute cash the prices of essential commodities will increase i.e food, etc as when everybody have cash then the vendors might charge more. function of demand & Supply. hence i think it is better if we procure locally and then distribute rather than giving direct cash.
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I saw this site www.concern.net and really like it and showing an interest. I want, United State of America, United Nation and the whole World say something and show concern over BIAFRA NIGERIA war and Biafra nation still a slavery to Nigeria till today.
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