This initiative which is part of United Nations Word Food Programme (WFP) aims at delivering cash transfers through a monthly stipend of Rwf7500 to each household in the camp, with an aim of improving food and nutrition security among food insecure households.
The just concluded three week registration and activation exercise rolled out by Equity Bank targeted close to 20,000 household heads of Burundian refugees in the camp. Mahama becomes the last refugee camp in Rwanda to have cash-based transfers rolled out and for the first time.
During a visit to Mahama Camp to witness the ongoing process, Equity Bank Managing Director Mr. Hannington Namara said that the bank has already put in place convenient means of availing the allocated funds to the registered beneficiaries.
“We are pleased to have successfully rolled out the registration process and look forward to disbursing the first cash allocation to the registered residents,” he said.
He added that they have already put in place an agency network with close to 20 Equity Bank agents in Mahama camp to facilitate withdrawal of cash.
The money is given in place of maize, cooking oil, and salt deemed to be sufficient for a month.
Every family member is given Rwf5400 per month except for infants below 6 months old because they are cared for exclusively.
Mahama Refugee camp manager Goretti Murebwayire said that this intervention will enable refugees avoid wastage of foodstuffs they were given and resold.
“They used to receive maize and sell it outside the camp. Giving them cash will help them get what they need without necessarily selling what they have been given,” she said.
Equity Bank has over the last three years registered and disbursed to over 14,500 households in Gihembe, Nyabikenke, Kigeme, Kisiba and Muhombwa camps in Rwanda. Mahama camp remains the largest refugee camp with a population of 70,000 refugees. It is the youngest camp in Rwanda and the sixth to roll out WFP/UNHCR cash through Equity Bank.
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