Nearly $1 billion was spent on the government’s cash transfer programme for the poor and vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic, with around 2.8 million people benefiting from the programme.

A March 25 notice by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, said 33 rounds of the programme have been completed already, with $994.26 million having been transferred to 2,783,989 beneficiaries from 705,487 households.

Among them, 109,965 are in the 0-5 age group, 386,035 are in the age group of 60 and older, 60,660 are living with disabilities, and 2,030 are living with HIV/AIDS.

The next round of payments will be made from March 25 through April 24.

The ministry warned that the status of anyone holding an ID Poor card could be re-evaluated if they were found to be using the funds in an inappropriate manner.