Ade Olu
Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Onitsha is currently validating data of vulnerable persons in 12 flood-ravaged communities of Ogbaru Local Area of Anambra State.
The validation is a requisite condition for the release of its unconditional cash transfer intervention for those affected by flood disaster.
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 extend 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”.
“We are currently validating our data to ascertain that the information we received is correct including the account details provided.
Proxy account details allowed
The Project Lead said those without bank account details are permitted to provide alternative accounts of persons they trust.
“Those without bank accounts are permitted to use proxy account details of persons they trust who will not disappoint them when the money comes.
“We permitted proxy accounts because some of them are elderly and vulnerable who will not come out even when banks come to their communities.
“However, we made them understand that if there are issues after is paid into the accounts given, there are limits to what we can do”.
According to Nwekeagu, JDPC Onitsha is also assisting 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 beneficiaries to include: the elderly, the sick, and persons with disabilities, and women of childbearing age.
Others are lactating mothers, and caregivers, whom he noted deserve special care and attention, considering their vulnerabilities.
He expressed optimism that at the end of the on-going data validation, the actual transfer of financial aid will commence.
“When the on-going validation ends by April or May, we’ll commence transfer of funds.
“So far, we’ve validated about 8 of the 12 communities so far,” Nwekeagu re
