ISLAMABAD: At a global e-conference hosted by the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG), Pakistan was labelled one of the top ranked countries in Asia for its social protection intervention amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government said on Monday.
The Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division of the government of Pakistan said in a statement that a new study conducted by UNICEF, UN and IPC-IG had assessed social protection responses in Asia, “focusing on an extensive mapping and overview of how social protection measures were deployed by the countries in Asia and the Pacific region in the response to the COVID-19 crisis.”
“The study reveals that Pakistan covers highest number of responses to social protection in Asia through Ehsaas Emergency Cash,” the statement said, referring to a cash distribution programme launched in March when the coronavirus crisis broke out in Pakistan.
Pakistan has recorded a total of 315,260 coronavirus cases as of Monday, but infections have steadily fallen since June.
Despite the success, Prime Minister Imran warned the nation over the weekend to continue to follow health guidelines such as wearing face masks in public places to avoid a second wave of the virus during the upcoming winter season:
Compared to some other states, Allah has been kind to us in Pak & spared us worst effects of COVID-19. There is a fear onset of winter could result in 2nd wave. I urge everyone to wear face masks in public to avoid a spike. All offices & ed institutions must ensure masks are worn
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 4, 2020
