Social Safety Nets in Egypt: the Takaful and Karama Programme
Launched in 2015 with $400 in support from the World Bank Program, Egypt’s Takaful and Karama social safety net programme is part of the country’s ambitious 2014 economic reform programme. The Takaful and Karama programme is managed by the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and covered approximately 10% of Egypt’s population in its first three years.
Whilst Karama provides unconditional support for the elderly and the disabled, Takaful provides conditional support that aims to keep children in school and increase food consumption. Therefore, families only receive the monthly transfer if they meet pre-defined requirements, such as:
- All children aged 6–18 must attend school, with at least an 80% attendance record
- Children under the age of six must attend health clinics at least four times a year for health checks and to ensure adequate growth and development
- Parents must attend nutrition awareness sessions that give information on nutrition, vaccinations, antenatal and postnatal care
Additional support is given for each child (up to a maximum of three), which increases with school age.
88% of Takaful beneficiaries are women, which helps women to have financial decision-making power and leads to improved quality of diet…
