Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced an additional $330 million in financial assistance for Pakistan’s social protection programme, aiming to benefit around 9.3 million people nationwide.
The announcement was made as part of ADB’s recently released Annual Development Report 2024.
According to the ADB, the support will fund conditional cash transfers to promote education for children and adolescents, as well as enhance access to healthcare for women, girls, and children in disaster-affected regions.
The initiative also aims to improve access to nutritious food, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The report highlights that Central and West Asia, including countries like Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan, continue to face significant challenges such as high poverty rates, limited access to essential services, and social welfare disparities.
ADB’s intervention is expected to be vital in mitigating these issues and supporting Pakistan’s efforts toward inclusive development and social equity.