FAQS: THE COVID-19 CASH TRANSFER RAPID RESPONSE REGISTER
Background on ESP
The Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on June 24, 2020, as a N2.3 trillion stimulus plan to mitigate the effects of a deep recession, while also ensuring social stability and addressing long-standing economic vulnerabilities.
The Rapid Response Register (RRR) is designed as an intervention to cushion the economic shocks of the pandemic on urban poor Nigerians currently not benefitting from the federal government’s cash transfer programme
The Economic Impact of COVID-19
Around the world, the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed many already poor and struggling people deeper into poverty.
The economic impact of the pandemic has disrupted livelihoods and hurt businesses with many small business owners, petty traders and daily wage workers unable to return to business or get back to work
In Nigeria, social protection systems have come under intense pressure and prompted government to invest more resources to assist those dealing with the socio-economic effects and threats of the pandemic.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Covid-19 ‘Rapid Response Register’ (RRR) project all about?
The Rapid Response Register is an intervention by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, centred on urban and semi-urban areas that are economically impacted by the COVID–19 pandemic. The target group will include the urban poor and vulnerable population not yet supported through the existing National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP), non-traditional poor in urban and peri-urban high-density locations and/or slums impacted by COVID-19. Also, those low-income earners involved in the informal sector who may have lost their income opportunities will be eligible for registration into the Rapid Response Register
How many people will the Rapid Response Register Hold?
At the very least, one million households total of million across 36 states and the FCT will be targeted and enrolled through this new COVID-19 Special Rapid Registry of beneficiary with a focus in urban and semi-urban areas.
RRR breakdown for Beneficiaries nationwide
All states are allocated slots for the RRR cash transfer project based on figures from the National Living Standard Survey.
Is the RRR different or the same as the CCT?
The RRR cash transfer targets the urban poor, for a period of six months. Those eligible for the RRR intervention are previously self-sustaining low income/ daily wage earners many of whom have lost their stream of income because of the economic shocks of the pandemic.
CCT beneficiaries are extremely poor and vulnerable households mined from the National Social Register to receive monthly stipends over a three-year period for improved household consumption and in some cases to fulfil certain conditions around health, education nutrition and the environment.
The RRR is a short-term shock response measure linked to Covid-19 while the CCT programme is a longer-term investment to graduate households out of extreme poverty
What will be the benefit of the register to those captured in it?
Every household captured in this register will be paid N5,000 monthly for an initial period of period of 6 months.
When does this initial period of six months start and end?
A beneficiary’s six months start upon receipt of their first monthly stipend after. They can no longer benefit from the project once they have been paid their monthly stipends for the stipulated project period, in this after case six-months.
Which government agency is overseeing the intervention?
The register is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in partnership with the World Bank. It is designed as an intervention to cushion the economic shocks of the pandemic on urban poor Nigerians currently not benefitting from the federal government’s cash transfer programme
How will individuals/ households be identified for the register?
Firstly, Geographical Satellite remote sensing technology to locate urban poor wards and communities will be deployed. This technology approach is integrated with the National Living Standard Survey assessments and big data analysis platform to enhance accuracy and precision.
Next, targeting and enrolment of affected households will be done using cellphone short messaging service (SMS) technology that allows residents of targeted communities register to be assisted by following simple USSD codes.
Mobile phone numbers of those deemed eligible for assistance will be linked to digitized bank accounts to receive cash support under an expanded cash transfer program of the Federal Government
Existing database of urban dwellers from Civil Society Organisations, NGOs, Development Partners intervening with urban poor, social-self-support groups and local neighbourhood structures will also be utilized in those communities identified.
How efficient is this process?
This is a well-tested process with a scientific approach that has delivered credible results where its been applied. It will be the first time this approach is deployed in Nigeria for identification of settlements
How do I benefit from the programme if my community/settlement is identified?
For every identified community, Bulk SMS/USSD will be disseminated to subscribers in that area to apply for the programme. The SMS will provide a clear guidance on how people can apply to be registered in few simple steps. There will also be a community engagement process from state officials to take members through the process of participating in the project.
What are the criteria/requirement to benefit from the programme?
To benefit from the programme, you must be a telephone subscriber living within the targeted geographic locations mainly in urban poor areas.
Do I need to pay for the registration, or any other process involved with the Covid-19 Cash Transfer?
No! There is no payment involved whatsoever. Those targeted for the RRR will register free of charge and are not required to pay any fee at any point?
Do I automatically qualify for the government’s intervention if my community has been identified and I apply?
No! To qualify for the government’s intervention each individual/household head must have passed validation checks that establish the impact of the pandemic on their means of sustenance
Can I still apply if I am already benefitting from or enlisted in other interventions under the NASSP (like the National Social Register or Conditional Cash Transfer)?
Only those who are yet to be documented in other NASSP databases are eligible for enlistment in the Covid-19 Rapid Response Register
Who do I contact if I need more information or have a complaint about the Covid-19 Rapid Response Register?
Dedicated Officers for information and grievance redress are designated at the State and LGA levels to respond to inquiries or clarification as well as resolve grievances that may arise form the implementation of the programme through the dedicated hotlines