MONROVIA, November 29 (LINA) - The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection-designate, Julia Duncan-Cassell, has disclosed that plans are underway to extend the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program to counties hardest hit by Ebola across the country.
SCT is a program aimed at protecting the most vulnerable households living on less than a dollar a day and having no temporary employment and means of support.
With support from the European Union and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the SCT started as a pilot project in Bomi County in 2009 and was later extended to Maryland County in 2013.
Counties that could benefit, she said, are Gbapolu, Grand Cape Mount, Rivercess, Bong, Lofa and Margibi.
Cassell said the plans are part of efforts to assist orphans, widowers and widows of Ebola victims under the social and psycho-social protection component of the new Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Cassell made the disclosure Thursday when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Gender for confirmation hearing at the Capitol Building.
According to Cassell, the psycho-social component will help victims deal with the trauma and stigma associated with Ebola, and to help them to communicate with families and friends.
She noted that if those affected are not socially protected, the society stands to repeat the mistakes of the disarmament process.
LINA