ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
Mobilink Team along with Waseela Microfinance Bank Limited(WMBL), has been assigned by Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to distribute Punjab Government’s allocated funds to flood affectees in Punjab. Mobicash, the branchless banking solution by Mobilink launched in collaboration with Waseela Microfinance Bank Limited will disburse funds to flood victims in the initial phase spanning over 7 days starting 30th September, 2014. Mobicash will ensure transparency in the process through specially designed Bio-metric Verification System (BVS). Funds transfer facilities will be set up by Mobicash teams in 38 locations across Punjab.
Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Head of Mobile Financial Services Mobilink in her comments said, ‘’Our fellow countrymen are going through tough times as floods have hit across the country with the most adverse effect on the province of Punjab. As Mobilink Foundation continues to play its part in supporting flood victims in Punjab, Mobicash has been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring transparent and swift disbursement of funds allocated by the Government of Punjab to flood victims. Our teams are working on-ground to ensure that funds are transferred in a timely fashion through Mobicash’s robust Mobile Financial Services network.’’
Beneficiaries can collect flood relief funds from designated campsites located across the flood hit areas. The team deployed at the locations will cross check CNIC numbers of each beneficiary using his/her biometric print through live connectivity with NADRA Central Database. Mobicash will utilize its state-of-the-art BVS to verify individual credentials of each beneficiary before funds are transferred. Transactions processing is being done through WMBL and teams are working round the clock to ensure seamless disbursement of cash to beneficiaries.
According to statistics shared by NDMA 360 people have lost their lives while over 2.5 million have been affected by the floods in Punjab so far. More than 42,827 houses were damaged in the province while 2,413,797 acres of crops were damaged. In the initial stage, an amount of Rs. 25,000 each is being disbursed to the beneficiaries.