Chinedum Treasure
The Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Onitsha, Anambra state is currently validating data of vulnerable persons in 12 flood-ravaged communities of Ogbaru Local Area ahead of its unconditional cash transfer intervention.
The cash transfer will be done under its Flood Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Project, funded by Catholic Relief Services.
Its Project Lead, Shadrach Nwekeagu, disclosed this while interacting with newsmen on the extent of project implementation.
Nwekeagu said, “We’ve done registration last year to identify potential beneficiaries since almost everyone is affected. We identified them within their household, not on the road”.
“We are currently validating our data to ascertain that the information we received is correct including the account details provided.
He explained that those without bank accounts are permitted to use proxy account details of persons they trust will not disappoint them when the money is finally paid.
“We can’t overrule proxy accounts because of the elderly and vulnerable. They won’t still come out even when banks come to their communities for account opening.
“So, while we accept proxy, we made them understand that when money is paid to the validated proxy accounts, if there are issues eventually, there are limits to what we can do”.
According to Nwekeagu, JDPC Onitsha has also offered to assist those of them who wish to open their own bank accounts to do so without stress.
“Last time, we took BVN machine to the communities with bank account opening forms. This time around, we are also going to open accounts for those who wish to have theirs.
The Project Lead listed the beneficiaries to include: the elderly, the sick, persons with disabilities, women of childbearing age, lactating mothers, and caregivers, whom he noted deserve special care and attention, considering their vulnerabilities.
He expressed optimism that at the end of the ongoing data validation, the actual transfer of financial aid will commence.
“When the ongoing validation ends by April or May, we’ll commence transfer of funds. We’ve validated about 8 of the 12 communities so far,” Nwekeagu revealed.
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